Irish soda bread scones, whether they be traditional Irish or Scottish, (also referred to as white bannocks) aren’t just for St Patrick’s Day! After you try this recipe, soda scones may become a favorite in your household quite quickly!
I may ruffle some red hair here, but did you know that Saint Patrick was born in Scotland?
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Do your own google search if you don’t believe me, but it’s true. I’ll give you a minute. See, I told you!
And if that’s not news to you, did you also know that he was Roman? Just like me–born in Scotland to Roman parents! How cool is that? Now that you’ve learned something new, let’s get to the Irish soda bread scones.
I’m going to show you how to make a quick and easy recipe for soda scones to celebrate the day of the patron saint of Ireland. Both the Irish and Scots make these versatile scones, farls, or white bannocks.
Once you try them, I bet you just won’t be making them once a year!
Looking for an Irish cake or dessert recipe? Try my delectable Irish whiskey cake!
How to Serve Irish Soda Bread Scones (or Scottish Bannocks)
Irish soda bread scones, or white bannocks, can be split in half and fried for breakfast. Or they can be served as a traditional afternoon tea scone, with jam and cream, or toasted and spread with some good quality salted butter (I like Kerrygold, and it’s Irish) for a wonderful snack.
Find more Irish recipes here!
My favorite way of eating soda scones is the traditional way: frying them. It’s usually done in the same pan after cooking some bacon (YUM), just like I do with potato scones. This doesn’t necessarily have to be served before 9 am–I mean, who doesn’t have breakfast for dinner now and then?
A few days ago, a friend (who is originally from Scotland) gave me a book to borrow, called Maw Broon’s Cookbook. I LOVE this book! Children in Scotland (including me) used to receive a comic/cartoon book at Christmas called “Oor Wullie” or “The Broons.” Maw Broon (Mother Brown) was the matriarch of “The Broons” (The Browns), and she and Paw had 8 children.
Try Irish rarebit for an easy lunch.
This cookbook is a representation of her supposed actual cookbook, complete with tape, marks, tea stains, handwritten recipes and notes and scribbles and drawings by her “weans” (children).
After perusing the book, I decided to try the Scottish soda scone recipe. Super simple, very quick to make, and almost perfect (I’ve made a few changes–sorry, Maw, noo (now) they’re pehrrrfect!)
How to Make Irish Soda Bread Scones
(Scottish White Bannocks)
adapted from Maw Broon’s Cookbook makes 4 large scones (serves 6-8)
FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW
Ingredients
- flour
- baking soda
- cream of tartar
- salt
- buttermilk
Directions
Sift all the dry ingredients together into a mixing bowl, holding the sieve high above the bowl to get as much air into the mixture as possible.
Pour in the buttermilk.
Then mix to a fairly soft dough, first with a spatula, then with your hands. Dough will be a bit sticky, but don’t overwork it, or the scones won’t turn out light.
Roll out onto a floured board and form into a round shape about 1/2″ thick.
Cut into quarters.
Cook the Irish soda bread scones on a hot griddle or non-stick pan on high, for about 5 minutes, then turn, lower the heat and continue to cook for another 5 minutes.
These turned out very large, so you can make half the recipe, or make 8 Scottish bannocks with the full recipe, too, if you prefer a smaller size.
You can also cook the entire dough as a whole, just scoring it into quarters first.
Remove from pan and cool slightly before cutting in half (horizontally;) using a fork gives a better texture.
Serve as desired, as part of a Scottish or Irish breakfast, or with afternoon tea, or as a snack, especially for St. Patrick’s Day.
This is another stove top scone recipe you may enjoy, cream girdle scones!
Or my friend Nancy’s Irish Guinness beer bread
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Irish Soda Bread Scones (Scottish White Bannocks)
A classic Scottish and Irish scone recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (3 1/2 cups) flour
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 3/4 tsp cream of tartar
- 1 tsp salt
- 12 oz buttermilk
Instructions
- Sift all the dry ingredients together into a mixing bowl, holding the sieve high above the bowl to get as much air into the mixture as possible.
- Pour in the buttermilk, then mix to a fairly soft dough, first with a spatula, then with your hands. Dough will be a bit sticky, but don't overwork it, or the scones won't turn out light.
- Roll out onto a floured board and form into a round shape about 1/2" thick. Cut into quarters.
- Cook on a hot griddle or non-stick pan on high, for about 5 minutes, then turn, lower the heat and continue to cook for another 5 minutes. (These turned out very large, so you can make half the recipe, or make 8 scones with the full recipe too if you prefer a smaller size.)
- You can also cook the entire dough as a whole, just scoring it into quarters first.
- Remove from pan and cool slightly before cutting in half (horizontally;) using a fork gives a better texture. Serve as desired.
Notes
These are the same thing, but with different names.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1/2Amount Per Serving: Calories: 100Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 992mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 0gSugar: 4gProtein: 3g
Nutrition information is only estimated.
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Aye bonnie lassie, that is right guid soda scone. I took a notion fer some wi roasted cheese on top but ah didnae ha’ any buttermilk however a wee squeeze o’ lemon juice added tae plain milk did the job. Many thanks
Haha! Glad you like the recipe. Good ol’ Maw Broon! :)
Brill soda scones easy to make everyone should try
Isn’t this funny? Just discovered your post today for this super recipe – this book is published by Waverley Books who have published both my Mad About Macarons and Teatime in Paris books! So many fun memories of the Broons when I was little via the Sunday Post. I have never made these soda scones and so you’ve given me inspiration to make them soon, Christina!
Obviously, publishers who know quality, Jill!! :) Yes, you need to make these soon!
My family always sent my kids the annuals at Xmas and they can put on the Scottish accents just like me and their dad I have made these scones before need to do them again wish I could have tea with you
Oh goodness, I feel terrible seeing this comment now, years later! I do miss comments now and then, especially when I’m traveling, so I truly apologize, Maggie! It would be lovely to have tea together! Maybe one day! Thanks for you lovely comment :)
[…] Irish Soda Scones […]
Wow these look great!
Thanks, Rose! I appreciate your comment, sometimes I wonder if anyone likes what I’m posting, so it’s nice to get confirmation! Have a great day and come back soon! CC
I love frying the scones, what a gorgeous breakfast (or lunch or dinner for that matter). I love how simple this recipe is and would love that cookbook.
I’ve actually found the book on ebay, so I may get it myself! It has some fantastic recipes! CC
I make a million different kinds of scones, I love them, but I’ve never done one like this–thanks for the inspiration Christina!
So happy to have inspired you, Sue! :) CC