Description
These Irish Soda Bread Scones are a delicious twist on traditional soda bread, featuring a tender crumb enriched with sweet raisins and bright orange zest. Perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat, they are quick to prepare and baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 5 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup buttermilk, plus 1 tablespoon for brushing
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Others
- 1 stick cold butter (1/2 cup)
- 1/2 cup raisins
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C) to ensure it’s hot enough for a perfect rise and golden crust.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, salt, and orange zest until evenly combined.
- Cut in Butter: Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut the cold butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Stir in 1 cup of buttermilk and vanilla extract gently until just combined to form a soft dough. Avoid overmixing to keep the scones tender.
- Fold in Raisins: Gently fold the raisins into the dough evenly without overworking it.
- Shape Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead lightly 5-10 times to bring it together. Using a 1/3 cup scoop, place mounds of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Prepare Scones for Baking: Cut a small “X” on the top of each scone to help them rise evenly. Brush the tops with the remaining 1 tablespoon of buttermilk and sprinkle with a little sugar for a slight crunch and sweetness.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 13-15 minutes, or until the scones are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the scones to cool slightly on a wire rack before serving warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use cold butter to get the optimal flaky texture in your scones.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute buttermilk with a mix of plant-based milk and lemon juice.
- Ensure not to overmix the dough to keep the scones tender and light.
- Fresh orange zest adds bright flavor—avoid pre-grated zest for best results.
- Raisins can be swapped with currants or dried cranberries as preferred.
