Gemma’s Best Ever Irish Scones
Save RecipeHi Bold Bakers!
This is a very special recipe, one that has been highly requested and highly anticipated. In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, I finally perfected my Best Ever Irish Scones recipe! These are the most authentic Irish Scones around as they are quite literally a revamped recreation of what I grew up with in Ireland similar to my Traditional Irish Soda Bread & Simple White Irish Soda Bread recipes. To me, scones are all about texture. My Best Ever Scones have all of the signs of what a scone should be: a crunchy, crackly exterior, a moist and dense interior and a lightly sweet flavor. Overall a bite of these should feel like a big hug!
My Best Ever Irish Scones, along with my Best Ever Banana Bread and my Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies, are a tried and true recipe that will quickly become your go-to. Just like a flakey biscuit, scones are made of flour, butter, sugar, egg and milk.
Why to use frozen butter
While these Best Ever Irish Scones taste like they are made in a real Irish Bakery, they are so easy to make. The key to them is really that they are made 100% by hand. In one bowl, I grate frozen butter into flour. This is the trick to making these the biggest and boldest scones. Grating the butter makes a huge difference in the texture of the scones; it creates pockets of butter throughout and adds loads of air and texture to the finished scones.
What can I add to my Scones?
After I grate in the frozen butter, I mix in the rest of the dry ingredients starting with sweet raisins and followed by the eggs and milk. This humble dough easily comes together by hand in minutes. At this point is when you can get creative and add in any other mix-ins you like. From adding fresh berries to chocolate chips, you can make so many variations with this recipe.
How to shape Irish Scones
Once the dough has come together, I roll the dough out and cut them into lovely rounds, only American scones are triangles. I can’t even tell you how nostalgic these scones are for me.
How to serve my Best Ever Irish Scones
After baking, I love to top these with jam and fresh whipped cream. If you happen to have my homemade Microwave Jam or clotted cream, even better! If you’ve ever wondered How to Make Clotted Cream you have to check out this my recipe!
St. Patrick’s Day or not, these are sure to become a family favorite! Also, don’t miss my other traditional Irish recipes.
Get more Irish Recipes:
- Simple White Irish Soda Bread
- Traditional Irish Bread and Butter Pudding
- Traditional Irish Soda Bread (Brown Bread)
With a lightly sweet crust and densely moist center, my Best Ever Irish Scones are a tried and true classic. Take it from an Irishwoman and chef!
- 4 2/3 cups (1lb 8oz/680g) self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting
- 3/4 cup (6oz/170g) butter, frozen
- 3 level teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 cup (4oz/113g) sugar
- 1/2 cup (4oz/113g) raisins/sultanas
- 1 1/4 cup (10floz/300ml) milk
- 2 eggs , beaten
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In a large mixing bowl, add self raising flour .
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Using a cheese grater, grate the butter in until it is all gone. (alternatively using a pastry cutter, cut/rub butter into flour until fully crumbed and resembles course breadcrumbs.
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Stir in raisins, baking powder and sugar.
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In a small mixing bowl, whisk eggs and milk and until thoroughly combined. Pour mix into flour mix and stir until a soft dough is formed. Transfer dough to a floured surface and press to 1 1/2 inch thick. (if your scones are not forming a dough add a little more liquid)
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Cut scones out with a round 3 inch cookie cutter.
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Place cut scones onto a baking tray lined with parchment.
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Gather remaining dough in a ball, re-flatten then cut scones from dough. Repeat until entire batch of dough is cut into scones. If you have a little excess dough left, just pat it onto the top of the scones.
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Bake at 425oF (210oC) for roughly 22-26 minutes. In the video I said 12 minutes but to get them really golden brown you will want to bake for longer. Cool on wire rack.
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Serve warm or fully fully cooled with butter, jam, or fresh cream.
Watch the Recipe Video!
BAKE TIME: . In the video I said 12 minutes but to get them really golden brown you will want to bake for longer. I ended up baking for over 20 minutes.
Meet Gemma
Hi Bold Bakers! I’m Gemma Stafford, a professional chef originally from Ireland, and I’m passionate about sharing my years of experience to show you how to make game-changing baking recipes with over-the-top results! Join more than 1 Million other Bold Bakers in the community for new video recipes every week!
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Hi Gemma…
I made your wonderful Irish Scones today and they are delicious. I used lemon and frozen blueberries for the fruit and then buttered them and spread them with your microwave mango preserves.
I am catering a Bridal Shower soon and this was a practice batch. My only problem is that they are a little too crumbly. The top was firm and crisp and the middle was light and fluffy. I love the moist texture but it was falling apart as I was putting on the spread. Too much butter? More flour? I followed your recipe except that, since I didn’t have whole milk, I used 1/4 cup of heavy cream in addition to my 2% milk. Did that add extra fat that I didn’t need? I think something needs an adjustment.
Hi there,
My mum always adds a little cream to her scones, I do not think that was the issue, however, it may have interfered with the liquid balance of the recipe.
My first thought was the egg! The egg is a binder in this recipe and it should hold it together for you.
My second thought was how soft the dough was when it was mixed. Scone dough is soft, not wet, but soft. This will tell you that the liquid content is right, will make it roll and cut nicely, and will allow it to spring in the hot oven.
Flour in different places behaves in different ways – there is no such thing as a specific liquid element in a recipe, it depends on how the flour takes it. Add 3/4 of the liquid in one go, then the remainder a bit more carefully, this will prevent you over-working the dough.
I love the idea of these scones being used for a wedding shower – I think you will get them right, there is no reason this will not work well for you,
Gemma 🙂
Hi Gemma,
How do we store the scones after they are baked and for how long?
Store then at room temperature in an air tight container for up to 3 days. Pop them back into the oven if you want to refresh them again.
Gemma.
Thank you Gemma for this amazing recipe. My husband is from Ireland and I’ve been looking for things to make for him that remind him of home and these scones are just like the ones his mum would make for him. They came out beautifully and so easy to make. I’m going to try and make a gluten free version. And see how that comes out. Your recipe is brilliant. Thanks so much.
I’m thrilled to hear that! Thanks for trying t out 🙂
I have also soda bread recipes you might like.
Best,
Gemma.
I would like to make your scones in a cranberry/orange flavor. I understand exchanging dried (?) cranberry but how about the orange flavor. Thank you
Hi there,
this will be very delicious!
You can wash and zest the rind of a large orange, choose a nobbly one, the smooth-skinned oranges are a bit mean with their zest!
I hope this is of help,
Gemma 🙂
Hello Gemma
I love all your recipes and have tried most of them.
They all turned out to be great.. thanks to you ❤️
Gemma I wanted to ask if I use all purpose flour for this recipe instead of self raising flour, how much baking side or power should I be adding to complete this recipe?
Thanks
Hi Javeria! You can use the ratio here https://www.biggerbolderbaking.com/how-to-make-self-raising-flour/
Getting ready to dig into this recipe as is but I have a question for next time… savory? Bacon and cheese… sausage and of course cheese. Dubliner and chives. Any recommendation on amounts? I’m afraid of flattening them out. I live your site and videos. I made the best ever chocolate chip cookies. I was the office goddess for the day..lol. Thank you.
Hi Alaina! You can replace the raisins with the same amount of bacon / sausage / cheese / chives. Savory scones do sound YUM. Gemma 😊
Just made these with my granddaughter who absolutely loves baking and your recipes are so great to follow. These taste absolutely amazing so buttery. I grated the butter as suggested and oh my what a difference.
Made 60 as we have an Alzheimer’s fund raising day and am sure these will go down well 👍 . I’m also going to make some cheese ones
Hi Jacqui,
how lovely! children love to bake, and particularly with granny, what memories she will have!
I am so happy that you are supporting that great charity, it touches so many families, I hope they will find a way to stop its progress sooner rather than later. Thank you for doing this for the charity,
Gemma 🙂
Hi Gemma, just made these today and they are as delicious as you say! I watched the video before I attempted them, didn’t add raisins, but used a teaspoon of maple extract and brown sugar! No clotted cream but enjoying one right now with butter and a cup of tea! I do love scones and so happy I have your recipe as my go to now! Thanks!! 🙏💜💖😄
Susan, this is your own invention! well done you, I will have to try it. My mum could make and bake scones as the visitors were on the drive to our house, even unexpected visitors could have a treat. This sounds like one of those recipes, thank you for sharing,
Gemma 🙂
My 7 and 9 year old granddaughter and I made these scones and the clotted cream to go with them. Oh my gosh, they were amazing! The kids wanted to put chocolate chips in them, so we did. They each got half the dough, patted them out themselves and cut them with biscuit cutters. When they were none baking and just cool enough to handle, we put the clotted cream on 3 of them and “dug in”. They were soooo good. The 7 year old,Brielle, said “ Gramma we are really good Bakers!” Brooklyn, the older child, said “ Yes because Gramma’s a good teacher”. Thank you Gemma for awesome recipe.
By the way, we also made the Mascarpone pizza. They each stretched and shaped their Pizza. It was so fun and they loved doing it. Again an awesome recipe I tried to upload photos but was unable to load them. Take my word for it, the dough was wonderful to work with and out was the best Pizza night we’ve had.
Lorraine,
This is the kind of comment is one of the benefits of my job!! I’m really delighted that you all enjoyed these recipes and creating those memories also.
I’m very happy right now.
Side note: We are having issues with uploading photos at the moment. W e are redoing the website and hoping to have that fixed asap.
Thanks,
Gemma.
Finally got around to making your scones and they are delicious. I love this recipe the best by far. I had some marscapone cheese that I didn’t know what to do with, and it is perfect on the scones with jam .
I’m delighted to hear that, Gillian! Thanks so much for trying it out.
Best,
Gemma.
Hi Gemma!
I used cherry instead of raisins and it was awesome. Thanks for all your lovely recipes. I am unable to upload the pic as error message is reflecting.
Shamima
Yay!!! I’m thrilled to hear that, Shmima.! Thanks for trying it out.
We are having issues with uploading photos right now but hopefully it will be fixed shortly.
Best,
Gemma.
These are so good! I got 16 out of the recipe and baked for 16 minutes. My 4 year old grandson loves scones but another batch might be needed by the time he arrives.
That’s awesome, Cheryl! I’m delighted to hear that!!
Scones are the one recipe that I hear from so many people around the world that it is their family favorite.
Best,
Gemma.
This recipe is a winner. I did the previous best ever Irish scones, but this one is easier, and surpringly better. It’s been three days in a row that I am baking it. Everyone love’s it.
YAY i’m delighted to hear that!
Hi Gemma,
I made these this morning for a brunch. Used your recipe for self-rising flour; had to make milk by combining heavy whipping cream with water AND, I used Lakanto Golden instead of regular sugar. They came out FANTASTIC. Everyone loved them. So light and airy. No one missed the sugar. I made a lemon curd to top them with….oh my!
I’m thrilled to hear that! Thanks so much for trying it out 🙂
Gemma.
Im looking for arecipe for irish soda farls. Any one have one
Hi, i don’t but that’s a great suggestion, thank you!
Its the first time I have come acrross your website it is great. I am Irish and lived in Co. Wicklow till I was 29. I have tried so many times to make Irish Soda bread and Soda Farls but without much success. I am difintely going to try your recipes. Is it ok to use semi skimmed milk instead of full fat. Also I have stone ground flour in my cupboard. Can I use this instead of Wholemeal. Do you have a recipe for Soda Farls. Thanks
Hi, i’m delighted to hear you’re going to give it a try! I dont have a Farls recipe but that’s a great idea!
I made them and they taste good, but are more dense and doughier than I expected. I did add about 1/4 cup more sugar, could this have affected it? Also, it did not mix together as easily as yours, it was drier then too. I had self rising flour, but it was older, and I did add the baking powder in your recipe. I had to work it a bit to come together. Where did I mess up? Will try again, but not until I figure out where I went wrong. Also, they finished in 18 minutes, not 22. They would have burnt if I left them in.
Hi there, it sounds like the ratio was off, i don’t know about adding more sugar here. If you do try them again, let me know how you go!
Since the self-rising flour already has baking powder in it, is it still necessary to add the additional baking powder called for in this recipe? Thank you.
Hi Joyce,
the self raising flour you buy is often in the pack for a time, and the baking powder can be slightly affected. I tend to add a little extra, but it is not strictly necessary. You can try it without the extra, all will be well,
Gemma 🙂
Hi Gemma! I’ve made these scones several times,,turned out perfect every time. I love baking,at it all the time for my family. Just wondering I make the self raising flour,do I still need to add the extra baking powder that is posted in the recipe? I always add it. ❤️From Newfoundland!
Hi Brenda,
strictly speaking no, you will not need to add it, but I do in order to be assured of a good rise. Self raising flour is not my first choice as a chef, I like to be sure of the freshness of the leavening agents, the extra is just to be sure, as we say in Ireland, to be sure to be sure! Haha, Brenda you may have heard that one in Newfoundland. The Irish settlers in Newfoundland mainly came from Waterford and Wexford, and the accent I have heard is very Waterford! 😉
Gemma <3
Hi Gemma
I’m asking about the quantity of baking powder in this recipe. isn’t too much? I’m planning to make half the ingredients. So, I’ll make my homemade self raising flour including 4 teaspoons of baking powder Plus 1 &1/2 teaspoons . Isn’t too much ?? Thank you in advance ,and for all your wonderful recipes
Hi, no you are correct, that’s the right amount. Enjoy!
Hi wats the alternate to self rising flour plz tell .
Hi there,
All purpose flour with added baking powder, you can make your own too! (https://www.biggerbolderbaking.com/how-to-make-self-raising-flour/) this will tell you how to do it. when you make your own you will not need to add additional baking powder to the recipe. I hope this is of help,
Gemma 🙂
HI Gemma,
I just made and cut out the dough to be baked in the morning. Can I just keep them in the refrigerator instead of freezing them?
Sorry I’m getting to your message late Mary Ann. You can keep them in the fridge for 2 days before baking.
Best,
Gemma.
I’ve been a big fan of scones for a while 😍 I’m a beginner when it comes to baking
this is the best recipe yet 😍easy to follow great tips thank you. My tip; watch the baking time as all ovens are different.
Yes, great tip, thank you!
Hi Gemma, I am a little confused (it doesn’t take much to confuse me), if I followed the recipe using 4 2/3 cups of all purpose flour, would I use around 9 teaspoons of baking powder. Thank you
Donna, I feel your pain! easy to confuse me too 😉
The general rule will be 2 teaspoons per 5 – 6ozs of plain flour. That is 2 teaspoon per cup according to my recipe. Then You can leave it at that, the extra in the recipe is to account for the pre-mixed one, which is not always reliable.
For this scone recipe you would use 9 teaspoons as you say, not so confused after all, it is a large amount of flour.
I hope this is of help to you,
Gemma 🙂
I love this recipe, the scones look delicious, I am definitely making these. I guess it would be best if I buy the self rising flour (I have all purpose flour) otherwise I would have to add a lot of baking powder to get the same results.
Hi Gillian,
I prefer to have all purpose flour, and add the baking powder as I need it. This means that my flour is always fresh, and so is the baking powder, and that matters! So, for every cup/5ozs/150g of flour add 2 teaspoons of baking powder. That will be slightly heaped, not overflowing spoons. Remember that your all purpose flour can also be used in my yeast baking recipes, so very useful to have to hand.
I hope this is of help,
Gemma 🙂
Love this recipe. My first time making scones. I love how fluffy they are. I had to use whole wheat flour so I just added about 1/4 cup more milk. They tuned out gorgeous, and delicious. Thanks Gemma!
Hi there,
Good on you! delighted you worked this well with the whole wheat flour, that can be a challenge with this type of bake, but adjusting the liquids would be a big help, well done.
Thank you for telling us about this,
Gemma 🙂
Thank you Gemma. They were delicious and my kids devoured them. I had to make another batch two days later and those went even faster.
I’m delighted to hear that!
Hi Gemma, I’m definitely making these but I’m going to use buttermilk and a pinch of salt! Cannot wait. I even ordered the same blue scone cutter you used!
Hi Kristina,
Haha! you remind me of my mum! To quote her ‘I made that great recipe from —-, but I added, this, and that, and took out the other thing, it is a great recipe, you should try it’ lol, try what I say!
Good woman, that is really what it is all about, your instinct is great, and you will get a great result too. Carry on baking, I trust you,
Gemma 🙂
Dear Gemma this scones look so delicious would love to try it. Just unsure about the quantity of self raising flower, Your recipe quote:- 4 2/3 cups (1lb 8oz/680g) self-raising flour. can you please let me know how many cups of flower please. Thanks Elbie
Hi Elbie,
Cup measurements are based on an informal system of measurement, prior to home weighing scales. People would share recipes based on their kitchen cups, it did not matter the weight of the ingredients, or the size of the cup, as long as the same cup was used to measure all of the ingredients, in any one kitchen. It a measure of volume. Once the balance is right, then all will be well. Different ingredients have different equivalent weights too, so rice will be different to sugar, cocoa to flour, and different flours will have a different weight too. Think Rocks and Feathers! So, the rule is simple, fill your cups in the same way, scoop/level/compress, however you choose, and the balance in the recipe will be good. It is not a good idea to mix cup measurements with another method, it is unnecessary, and will not be good for your recipes. You have to trust this system, if not, get a digital scales, it will be the most accurate of all!
I take 1 cup as weighing 5ozs as i tend to scoop the ingredients. I hope this is of help,
Gemma 🙂
@elbiejan
8 minutes ago
Thanks for answering me back. But all I really wanted to know is plain words how many cups of flower is going into this delicious Irish Scones. Your recipe say:- 4 2/3 cups (1lb 8oz/680g) self-raising flour. Please let me know is it 4 cups flour? Countries are different but cups are the same every where. Is it 4 cups + 2/3 of a cup? Thank
Hi there,
I though I had told you in plain words, I am sorry. It is as said here in the recipe. I give you the measurements for the US standard cup, according to how I load the cups, and the weights too to clarify. Cups are not the same everywhere, and how you load the cup affects the volume.
If you have US standard cups, then use those, scoop, do not level, all will be well,
Gemma 🙂
Made these on Friday night, used chocolate chips and raisins. Came out beautifully. Very nice warm with good Kerry gold! Better the next day with butter and jam. Froze half a dozen for another time. Want to try clotted creme but can’t get it here in the US. , And can only find ultra pastured heavy cream here. Disappointing to say the least. But Gemma it’s a pleasure to bake your recipes.
Hi Nelissa,
Delighted, you had a taste of my home with your Kerrygold!
Yes, freezing the remainder is always a great choice, they defrost quickly too, so ready to warm when you have unexpected visitors.
Depending on where you live in the US of course, you should be able to get Heavy Whipping Cream, in the dairy cabinet, near the milk in your store. The fat content should be shown on the back of the carton, 35% fat content is ideal.
I hope you try this, it is a delicious treat!
Gemma 🙂
Hi Gemma,
I am making your clotted cream recipe along with these scones and I wondered how I should use the leftover liquid from the clotted cream in this recipe? Should it be substituted entirely for the milk? Or maybe just partially? What will be best for the taste/texture of the scones? Thanks!!
Hi Kristian,
yes sub it entirely for the milk. It will make for lovely scones. Also no waste 🙂
Best,
Gemma.
Is there an adjustment needed for high altitude?
Hi, i might just bake them for 5 minutes less. Enjoy!
These scones were absolutely delicious Gemma. Thank you. All your recipe are always wonderful. I made heart shape chocolate chip. They were soooo high and light. Just great. I owe many girlfriends the recipe. As I had a Valentine’s breakfast this morning and served them. They were ❤️❤️❤️
Darlene
I hope you posted some posted of those. They sound beautiful! I hope you had a lovely Valentine’s Day!
The recipe calls for 3 tsp of baking powder along with self raising flour…
Do u still need to use baking powder along with self raising flour
Hi, yes you do.
Hi Gemma,
There is no salt in the recipe and none in your self raising flour recipe. Will it affect the scones if I add any or should I just leave it out?
Mary Ann
Hi there yes you can add it in.
can I use rice milk?
Hi, yes you can. Enjoy!
120 gm of fat per scone? Is that right ???
Hi, its 170g for the entire batch. I hope that helps, enjoy!
Can we do an eggless version of these scones?
Hi there, you can use a flax egg here instead.
Hi Gemma, what is the substitute of eggs in this recipe as I don’t eat eggs
Thanks K!
It’s my pleasure!
Looking forward to trying your recipe.I plan to make my own self raising flour and the recipe calls for an additionl 3 tsp baking powder, is this correct? Also the recipe calls for MILK. Can I make my own buttermilk and use that?
Hi, yes to both of these questions. Enjoy 😀
I live in Colorado which calls for high altitude bAking. What should I add to the things that bake?
Hi there, for this you might just want to cut bake times down by 5 minutes or so. But it will vary depending on the recipe.
Hi Gemma,
Can I substitute the milk with buttermilk because still left some after making butter and I have already tried out your biscuit which is so yummy?
Hi, yes that will work here. Enjoy these!
Hi Gemma,
Thanks for your reply.
My kids doesn’t like raisins so can I change it to chocolate chips or cinnamon instead of raisins? If yes, how much should I add and do i need to reduce the sugar in the scone recipe? I like your recipe, all so basic and great taste especially your tiramisu. All my friends and family love it so much.
Hope you have a wonderful and awesome weekend!
I am delighted to hear that 😀 you can reduce the sugar if you like by a few tablespoons. You can add the same amount of chocolate instead of the raisins. Enjoy!
Hi Gemma
Wouldn’t you need to defrost frozen fruit and would it make the scone mixture
very wet? which ever way.
Lynne
Hi Lynn,
I use them frozen, and yes, they bleed a little into the scone dough, but in a good way! This is true of other berries too. Strawberries not so much as they are so large. Blackberries/black currants/red currants etc work really well.
I hope you try this,
Gemma 🙂
Hi Gemma
I certainly will I can then assume that putting frozen fruit in the scones wii keep them moist?
I use frozen fruit! yes, they bleed a little into the scone dough, but in a good way! This is true of other berries too. Strawberries not so much as they are so large. Blackberries/black currants/red currants etc work really well. Give it a go!
Help Gemma! Can I use frozen fruit in these rather than raisins? Or, Craisins?
Hi Marla,
Yes you absolutely can use frozen fruit or craisins. Every dried cherries and chocolate would be lovely.
Best,
Gemma.
Hi Gemma .
Your scones recipe looks delicious..I will make them..but too are looking for more healthy options.
But as you say we could try coconut oil….but will it be the same!
Hi, i am delighted to hear you enjoy them! Yes, that will work here too.
Dear Gemma:
My scones came out perfect and delicious! Thank you first recipe that truly comes out as you state it seems other ones out there leave something out but yours excellent. I made cinnamon chocolate chunk scones my family loved them.
Thank you,
Tina
Delighted to hear you had success, Tina!! Thanks for trying them out.
Gemma.
Hi Gemma. Do you have any low-fat scone recipes? Don’t get me wrong, this recipe looks great, but I’d like something a little bit more streamlined in terms of fat and calories.
Hi there, i do not at this time, but if you want you can replace the butter with coconut oil or ghee for a healthier fat. Enjoy!
Hi Gemma,
I’m baking these for the first time today with my daughter who loves scones. Just curious…I’m not at all opposed to baking and eating sweets or treats in moderation, and want to ask if you can clarify the amount of total grams of fat per scone – it says 120g – which seems high to me, especially in relation to the amount of calories, which is 376 and that sounds typical. Thank you!
The fat content is high as this recipe utilizes quite a lot of dairy. It comes from the butter, the buttermilk and the eggs.