Mary O’s Traditional Irish Soda Bread Scones: A Taste of Home in Every Bite

If you’ve ever wanted to bake something that feels like a warm hug straight from an Irish kitchen, Mary O’s Traditional Irish Soda Bread Scones are exactly what you need. These little golden beauties are a cross between traditional Irish scones and homemade Irish soda bread—rustic, tender, and just the right amount of sweet. Whether you’re making them for St. Patrick’s Day or just to pair with your morning coffee, these quick Irish scones come together in no time with simple ingredients you probably already have.

So, grab your mixing bowl, and let’s make some magic—because nothing says love like a homemade scone slathered with butter and jam!

Why You’ll Love These Irish Soda Bread Scones

• They’re ridiculously easy. No kneading, no rolling, no fancy equipment—just mix, scoop, and bake.
• They’re perfect for busy mornings. Who has time for complicated pastries? These easy soda bread scones bake up in under 25 minutes.
• They taste like a trip to Ireland. The buttermilk gives them that signature tang, and the raisins add a pop of sweetness.
• They’re great for sharing. Bake a batch, and watch them disappear.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything you need to make these rustic Irish scones:

• 4 cups (480g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
• ¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
• 1 cup raisins
• ⅔ cup buttermilk (or milk + ½ teaspoon lemon juice)
• ⅔ cup heavy cream (plus 2 tbsp for egg wash)
• 1 egg yolk
• Strawberry jam, softened butter & flaky sea salt (for serving)

How to Make Mary O’s Traditional Irish Soda Bread Scones

Step 1: Preheat & Prep

Set your oven to 425°F and grease a 12-cup muffin tin generously. This ensures your scones pop out effortlessly.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. These dry ingredients will be the base of your scones.

Step 3: Cut in the Butter

Add the cold cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using your fingers (or a pastry cutter), work the butter in until the mixture looks like coarse sand. Pro tip: Work quickly so the butter stays cold—this is what makes the scones flaky.

Step 4: Stir in Raisins & Liquid Ingredients

Toss in the raisins and give them a quick stir to distribute evenly. Then, drizzle in the buttermilk and heavy cream. Use your hands to gently mix and fold the dough until all the flour is absorbed. Don’t overmix—just a few folds will do!

Step 5: Scoop & Brush

Scoop the dough into your muffin tin, filling each cup evenly. In a small bowl, mix the egg yolk and 2 tbsp of heavy cream and brush it over the tops of each scone for that perfect golden finish.

Step 6: Bake Until Golden

Pop them into the oven and bake for 22-25 minutes, or until golden brown. A toothpick inserted should come out mostly clean. If you have a thermometer, the internal temp should be at least 190°F.

Step 7: Serve & Enjoy

Let them cool slightly before serving with butter, strawberry jam, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Absolute heaven.

Tips for the Best Irish Soda Bread Scones

✔ Use cold butter. Just like with biscuits, cold butter = flaky scones. If your kitchen runs warm, pop the butter in the freezer for 10 minutes before starting.

✔ Don’t overmix. The less you work the dough, the softer your scones will be. Mix just until everything is combined.

✔ Customize them! Swap raisins for dried cranberries, chopped nuts, or even chocolate chips if you’re feeling adventurous.

✔ No buttermilk? No problem! Just mix ⅔ cup of milk with ½ teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar, let it sit for 5 minutes, and you’ve got a great substitute.

FAQs About Irish Soda Bread Scones

Can I make these ahead of time?
Absolutely! These scones taste best fresh, but you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Just warm them in the oven before serving.

Can I freeze them?
Yep! Once cooled, wrap each scone in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. To reheat, pop them in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes.

Can I use whole wheat flour?
You can swap up to half of the all-purpose flour for whole wheat flour. Just note they’ll be a little denser.

More Recipes You’ll Love

If you love these quick Irish scones, try some of my other easy-baking favorites:

🥑 5-Minute Creamy Avocado Spread – Perfect on toast!
🧀 Ultimate Baked Nachos – Because scones aren’t the only comfort food.
🍝 Cheesy Baked Ziti (No Meat) – A go-to weeknight dinner.

For more delicious baking inspiration, check out BeamRecipes.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about baking up a batch of homemade Irish soda bread scones—they bring a little piece of tradition into your home with minimal effort. Whether you’re making them for a holiday, a family breakfast, or just because you need a little carb-filled joy in your life, these buttermilk scones will never let you down.

So go ahead, put on some cozy music, and get baking. And if you make these, I’d love to hear how they turn out—drop a comment or tag me on social!