[Foodie Friday Recipe] Irish Soda Scones

Irish soda scones are a traditional Irish treat that is quick and delicious to make and are perfect for breakfast or tea. Try this simple recipe for Saint Patrick’s Day – or anytime…

While hearty stews and rustic breads often take center stage this time of year, there’s another simple classic worth bringing to your table: Irish soda scones! These tender, lightly sweet scones capture the spirit of traditional Irish baking—simple ingredients, quick preparation, and deeply satisfying results.

Unlike yeast breads that require rising time, soda breads and scones rely on baking soda and baking powder to create their lift. That means you can go from mixing bowl to warm, golden scones in under 30 minutes—perfect for a festive breakfast, a cozy afternoon tea, or even a simple holiday brunch.

Studded with sweet raisins and aromatic caraway seeds, these Irish soda scones are lightly crisp on the outside, soft and buttery inside, and absolutely irresistible when served warm with a little fresh butter and jam!

Whether you’re planning a special breakfast for Saint Patrick’s Day or simply looking for a wholesome homemade treat to enjoy with your morning coffee or tea, this easy recipe delivers all the comforting charm of traditional Irish baking—no yeast or complicated steps required!

Irish Soda Scones Recipe

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Serves: 4 (8 scones)

Ingredients:

2 c. + 1 tsp. all-purpose flour, divided
3 TB. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 c. cold butter, cubed
2/3 c. raisins
1 TB. caraway seeds
1 c. buttermilk
2 TB. raw turbinado sugar
Extra butter and jam, for serving (optional but highly recommended)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400° F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups of flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Add butter and using a pastry cutter or your hands, rub the butter into the flour mixture until a coarse mixture forms.
4. In a small bowl, toss together the raisins with the teaspoon of flour.
5. Add the raisins, caraway seeds, and buttermilk to the scone dough and mix just until combined.
6. Using 2 spoons or an ice-cream scoop, scoop the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. The mixture makes 8 scones.
7. Sprinkle on the raw sugar and transfer into the oven to bake until deeply golden-brown on top and bottom, approximately 18-20 minutes.
8. Allow to cool completely before serving with extra butter and jam of choice.