Irish Soda Bread Scones (Printable)
Buttery scones featuring currants and a golden crust inspired by traditional Irish soda bread.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
03 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
04 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
05 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
→ Mix-Ins
07 - 1/2 cup currants
→ Wet Ingredients
08 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
09 - 1 cup buttermilk, cold
10 - 1 large egg
→ Topping
11 - 1 tablespoon buttermilk
12 - 1 tablespoon coarse sugar
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
03 - Add cold butter cubes. Rub into flour mixture using fingertips or pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
04 - Stir in currants until evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
05 - Whisk together buttermilk and egg in a separate bowl.
06 - Pour wet ingredients into dry mixture. Stir gently just until combined to form a shaggy dough. Do not overmix.
07 - Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Pat into a 1-inch thick round. Cut into 8 wedges and transfer to prepared baking sheet, spacing slightly apart.
08 - Brush tops with buttermilk and sprinkle with coarse sugar if desired.
09 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
10 - Cool on wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The combination of whole wheat and all-purpose flour gives you that rustic farmhouse texture while staying tender enough for proper scones
- Buttermilk works magic with the baking soda, creating tall, proud rises without any yeast or waiting around
02 -
- Warm butter is the enemy here—keep everything chilled until it hits the oven heat
- Overworking the dough activates gluten and makes tough scones, so stop mixing the moment flour disappears
03 -
- If you do not have buttermilk, mix 1 cup milk with 1 tablespoon vinegar and let it sit for 10 minutes
- Brush the tops with heavy cream instead of buttermilk for an even richer, darker golden finish