Irish Buttermilk Scones
Irish Buttermilk Scones hot out of the oven are the ultimate flaky, tender biscuit that is perfect with Kerrygold Butter, Devonshire Cream (my favorite) and yummy jams. Perfect for your St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and whenever you want to enjoy a homemade scone. We conducted a lot of research and taste tests on making a delicious scone. Read on for step by step instructions and Q&A on secrets for making the perfect scone.
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Q&A on Secrets to Making Scones
There are endless recipes for making scones from American style, Irish, and British. I researched many articles to determine what ingredients make the best Irish Scones. The article Secret of the Irish Scone provided valuable information on ingredients and measurements. The writer attended a baking training camp with Master Baker Derek O’Brien, founder of The Baking Academy of Ireland. So I figured this is the best starting point for the perfect Irish Scone! The author provides key information from Jimmy Griffin a fourth-generation baker from Galway owner of Griffin’s Bakery. Below is a summary of my research and taste tests.
What type of flour do I use?
One important discovery is the selection of flour that is low in protein is key with sifting it five times for a light texture. The wrong flour can result in a tough, dry scone. Cake flour is not a good selection since it is high in protein and gluten. And I almost used cake flour for my scones! I use a mixture of white flour and pastry flour.
The website “What’s Cooking America” has a wonderful article explaining different types of flours, when to use them, and how to store.
Can I Use Oil Instead of Butter?
I learned it is important to work the fat into the flour for a flaky scone. Griffin uses Olive Oil instead of butter to make it easier to incorporate into the flour. I made two batches of Irish Buttermilk Scones the first with raisins plus dried cranberries with the second batch containing mini chocolate chips. The first batch contains Olive Oil that was slightly noticeable in the finish scone. Olive Oil has a distinct heavier flavor so finding a light version is a good idea suitable for baking. The second batch contained Canola Oil with no subtle oil flavor in the finished scone.
Why Use Buttermilk in Scones?
Use Buttermilk instead of Milk because it helps break down the gluten resulting in moist tender baked goods.
How to Reheat Buttermilk Scones
You can reheat room temperature scones by placing in a preheated 300 degrees oven. Place on a baking sheet placing a piece of foil in a tented manner to keep from drying out. Bake for about 10 minutes and serve immediately. The scones can be reheated in the microwave.
6 Tips for Making Irish Buttermilk Scones
- It is important to have all ingredients measured prior to mixing the wet ingredients into the dry because this starts activating the baking powder.
- Have your baking pans lined with parchment paper and biscuit cutter ready.
- Remember to sift your flour five times.
- Whisk together the wet ingredients of Buttermilk, Olive Oil, and Egg.
- Make a well in the flour mixture; pour in the Buttermilk mixture and your dried fruit or chocolate chips if adding.
- Using a spoon work from the inside out lightly mixing the ingredients.
How to Make Buttermilk Scones
- Take a piece of large wax paper and lightly coat with flour to make it easier to remove the scones. I found that using wax paper makes the entire process easier.
- Depending upon the type of Irish Buttermilk Scones you are going to make determines how much dough to place on the wax paper.
- I made scones in a traditional biscuit shape and as a triangle. When making a triangle shape scone, I divided the dough into two sections to form into a circle and then cut slices with a knife. To make the traditional biscuit shape scone, I worked with the entire dough. I used a water glass to cut the dough and then free form into a biscuit.
- Once you decided upon the scone’s shape, place the dough on the wax paper that is prepared with flour to then cover with another piece of wax paper on top. Pat the dough into an 8 by 10 inch rectangle or circle. Remove the top wax paper and cut the dough into desired shape and size. Doesn’t the dough look beautiful!
How to Bake Irish Scones
- Place scones on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Brush tops with the egg wash. Place in the freezer uncovered for 30-minutes. Chilling the scones relaxes the gluten in the flour, which makes the scones more tender and flaky.
- Preheat oven to 500 degrees.
- Remove the scones from the freezer and then add another layer of egg wash topped with sugar.
- Reduce oven temperature to 425 degrees placing scones in the oven.
- Bake the scones for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.
- Be careful as scones can transition from golden brown to burnt. I start with 10-minutes adding 30-seconds at a time if not golden brown.
- Serve the Irish Buttermilk Scones warm with your favorite toppings!
Thank You For Following Supper Plate!
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Irish Buttermilk Scones
Pin RecipeEquipment
- Flour sifter
- Large mixing bowl
- Medium size mixing bowl
- Small bowl
- Cookie sheets
- Parchment paper
- Cookie cooling rack
- Wax paper
- Pastry brush
- Scone cutter, optional
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups White Flour sift five times
- 1 cup Pastry Flour (sift five times)
- 1 tbsp. Baking Powder
- ¾ tsp. Baking Soda
- 1/2 tsp. Salt
- 1/2 cup Sugar
- 1 cup of your favorite add-ins Raisins, Dried Cranberries, and Chocolate Chips
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup Buttermilk
- 1 Egg large
- ½ cup Olive Oil mild
- 1 tsp. Vanilla
Glaze
- 1 Egg large
- Salt pinch
- Sugar optional
- Cinnamon Sugar optional
Serving Toppings
- Kerrygold Butter
- Jams
- Clotted Cream
- Devonshire Cream
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large mixing bowl, sift the flour five times.
- Sift the baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt into the same large bowl.
- In a medium size bowl, measure all wet ingredients.
- In a measuring cup measure your favorite add-in ingredients (raisins, mini chocolate chips)
- In a small bowl, whisk egg with a pinch of salt.
- Line your baking pans with parchment paper.
- Place two pieces of wax paper on a cutting board. Lightly flour one of the wax papers.
Dough Preparation
- Make a well in the flour mixture; pour in the Buttermilk mixture and your dried fruit or chocolate chips if adding.
- Using a spoon work from the inside out lightly mixing the ingredients.
- Turn dough out onto lightly floured wax paper. Cover with the second piece of wax paper. Pat the dough into desired shape and thickness.
- Remove the top wax paper and cut the dough into desired shape and size. Place scones on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Brush tops with the egg wash.
Baking
- Place in the freezer uncovered for 30-minutes. At the same time, preheat oven to 500 degrees.
- Remove baking trays from the freezer.
- If desired add another layer of egg wash topped with sugar.
- Place baking pans into the oven. Reduce oven temperature to 425 degrees. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until they’re golden brown.
- Split the scone with a fork and serve warm with your favorite toppings!
These look so good! Love the use of olive oil in the dough.
Thank you. They are delicious! I also made them with canola oil. With the olive oil I detected a hint of oil. But with jam no one noticed. Next time I would look for a lighter olive oil or just stick with canola oil. Made the process much easier! 🍀🍀🍀
Yes, lighter olive oil is better for baking, while extra virgin is so great in dressings. 🙂
I did not have the olive oil for baking. They were still good but next time I am going to try the lighter olive oil. I loved saving our Kerrygold butter for serving the Scones! 🍀🍀🍀
Can definitely understand that! 🙂
Kerrygold butter is more money but is worth it. Especially at St Patricks Day! 🍀🍀🍀
These look wonderful Bernice! I love that you use buttermilk.
Thank you! I loved how much lighter the dough is with Buttermilk! It was a beautiful dough to make the Scones. 🍀🍀🍀
oOooOooOoh~! Saved, printed and marked “urgent” for the next time I have access to an oven 🙂 Ever since Hubby and I had our first “real” scones on a farmer’s market in Dublin 2 years ago we have been semi-successfully looking for scones – or recipes for them – that would get us close to those heavenly, fluffy clouds of yum, but I think this one might just be a winner~! Thanks for sharing 🙂 oh and just for the record, I’ll pick redcurrants and/or blueberries as add-ins to bring back that awfully cold but soooo delicious November-morning stroll through Dublin~
Thank you! I included the article providing tips from the Master Baker from Ireland that may also be helpful! I would love redcurrants and blueberries – those would be wonderful! I also enjoy dried apricots. They are so much fun to make and eat! Enjoy the recipe. 🙂
Sorry. Your comment got approved without commenting. I am glad you like the Irish Buttermilk Scones recipe! They are addicting! I also like the idea of using blueberries. Sounds delicious! I made Devonshire cream to go with them. I am going to try other add-ins and maybe add some OJ to the batter. Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy your Scones. 💕🍴
Bernice, I really liked your recipe but also all the detailed tips in it and the use of olive oil. Your scones look picture perfect!
Thank you! They are wonderful. If you use Olive Oil try to get the Baking version and not the Salad version. It was nice to have an alternative to butter.
Interesting! I love a good scone, but I haven’t made scones in quite some time. The background tips and tricks here are helpful, and I must admit that I’ve never made scones using olive oil. I’ll have to try that out soon!
The Olive Oil was a pleasant surprise. Just be share to select a light version for baking. I also made them with Canola Oil and they were awesome!
Now there is nothing like orange marmalade 🙂 These look yummy
Thank you! They were fantastic. I might make them again this weekend! 🍀🍀🍀
The scones look wonderful – and I absolutely love the plates that you served them on. The presentation with the tea set is beautiful. I also liked all the tips. I hadn’t realized that buttermilk helps break down gluten.
Thank you! It was so much fun researching how to make a great scone. And they are delicious — I am making more this weekend! My husband got me started with the tea set for Christmas many years ago. I collect tea pots.
Scones look so good Bernice.
Liked all your tips and use of butter milk. Presentation is too good!
Thank you so much Deeksha! I am glad the tips are helpful. I made more scones this weekend with freezing some of them for later. 🙂
Oh, that’s wonderful!
Yes! We will enjoy them soon. 😊
I have been on the same quest off and on again throughout my life!! Love all your hints!! 🙂 I wish I had one of those beauties right now!
I am so addicted to them. I am going to try different versions. I am glad you like the tips. It was fun researching them. 🍴🍴🍴
Love scones. Need to make some
They are delicious and do not last long. I am planning on trying different ingredients. 💕
I used to make them years ago, when I lived in England.
Did you use clotted cream or Devonshire cream with them?
Mainly Devonshire, but if they didn’t have it, then clotted.
I made Devonshire which is heavenly. I still need to make clotted cream.
Just as good
💕💕💕
Scones look so tempting.. will try these soon
That are just awesome and addicting! Let me know how they come out. 💕💕💕
Thank you for visiting today!
Your welcome! It is my pleasure. Have a great day!
You as well!
My mom used to make the most delicious scones…this post has me craving one (or two! 😉). Thanks so much for sharing! ❤
Your welcome! I love scones. They were so good with a cup of tea. 🍀🍀🍀
Scones are the best—these are perfect for a St. Pat’s breakfast or coffee break! 🙂
I so agree!! 💕 💕 🍀🍀💚💚
So glad for your extensive research. It certainly payed off looking at those delicious photos! My Irish ancestors immigrated from Galway Bay way back when so feeling a bit of luck o’the Irish with this one 🤓 Thanks again for a wonderful recipe/ tutorial!
Thank you so much for your kind feedback!! I really enjoyed all the research. And of course the taste tests. My ancestors came from Belfast Ireland and landed in Pennsylvania! Have a great day!