Irish Currant Scones
Enjoy this traditional recipe for Irish currant scones with your favorite jam and a bit of whipped cream. They’re perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert with a cup of tea or coffee. You’ll find the technique for making scones is very similar to southern-style biscuits!
Years ago, we celebrated our 20th anniversary by taking a 10-day trip to Ireland which turned out to be the trip of a lifetime! Ireland has always had a special place in my heart and soul. Many of my ancestors came from Ireland and for my entire life, I’ve felt a strong pull to go there.
From the moment we stepped off the plane in Shannon until we boarded for the return flight in Dublin, we felt welcome and simply at home. We didn’t meet a single Irish person who didn’t greet us with a friendly smile and a question or two. They really are the most friendly people I’ve ever met anywhere.
We spent our ten days in Ireland on a loosely planned sightseeing tour with lots of time for just “wandering.” We drove everywhere in a tiny little rental car on tiny little roads and we loved every single minute of it. Even those roads that were so narrow that one car would have to stop to let another pass. And we only got onto the wrong side of the road once! Although I constantly kept trying to get into the wrong side of the car.
The Beauty of Ireland
But what I’ll never forget about our trip to Ireland is the breathtaking beauty of the country. It really is 40 shades of green.
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The countryside is gorgeous rolling hills and green fields as far as the eye can see. Beef is a major product in Ireland with the added benefit of all that wonderfully rich cream and butter. And at the end of each day, you can be sure that a pub is never far away!
Needless to say, I loved Ireland. Still love Ireland and I’d go back there in a minute! So, in honor of St. Patrick’s Day and as a reminder of that cherished trip, I baked a few Irish Currant Scones. We had scones and tea several afternoons in Ireland and I hope I’ve done them justice in this recipe.
About the Ingredients
- Currants (If you can’t locate currants, substitute dark raisins. They’re not quite the same but will work in a pinch. Look for currants next to the raisins in your grocery store.)
- Heavy Whipping Cream (For an authentic recipe, don’t substitute with lower fat dairy products.)
You’ll find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the recipe at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Irish Currant Scones
STEP 1. Preheat to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place it into the oven while it is preheating.
STEP 2. Sift together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
STEP 3. Using your fingertips, work the softened butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs.
STEP 4. Stir in the currants.
STEP 5. Stir in 1/2 cup of the cream working the mixture as little as possible. Add more cream only if needed to create a slightly sticky dough that holds together.
STEP 6. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Use your hands to gather it into a ball and knead it just two or three times.
STEP 7. Using a floured rolling pin or just your hands, roll or pat the dough into a 1-inch thick circle.
STEP 8. Cut into 8 wedges.
STEP 9. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and place the scones on it. Brush with a little additional cream.
STEP 10. Bake for 8 minutes. Turn the pan and bake for 4 more minutes or until just barely brown.
Serve with preserves, butter, and/or sweetened whipped cream.
More Recipes You’ll Like
- Fruit Scones
- Chocolate Scones
- Glazed Lemon Blueberry Scones
- Traditional Irish Barmbrack
- Brown Irish Soda Bread
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Irish Currant Scones
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons softened butter
- ½ cup currants
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream (may need up to 3/4 cup)
Instructions
- Preheat to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place it into the oven while it is preheating.
- Sift together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
- Using your fingertips, work the softened butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir in the currants.
- Stir in 1/2 cup of the cream working the mixture as little as possible. Add more cream only if needed to create a slightly sticky dough that holds together.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Use your hands to gather it into a ball and knead it just two or three times.
- Using a floured rolling pin or just your hands, roll or pat the dough into a 1-inch thick circle.
- Cut into 8 wedges.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and place the scones on it. Brush with a little additional cream.
- Bake for 8 minutes. Turn the pan and bake for 4 more minutes or until just barely brown.
- Serve with preserves, butter, and/or sweetened whipped cream.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your health care provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.
— This post was originally published on March 15, 2011. It has been updated with new photos.
More Scone Recipes …
- Simple Scones from the King Arthur Flour web site
- Brown Eyed Baker’s Irish Soda Bread Scones
- Irish Buttermilk Scones on Albion Cooks
- Scottish Oat Scones from Cooking with Amy
What a beautiful country. I would love to have a spot of tea and one of these scones. :)
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be at your back
May the sun shine warmly on your face
May the ran fall softly on your fields
And, until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Irish Blessing.
Miss P
I’ve always loved that sweet blessing. I can hear you singing it right now :-)
Who doesnt love a great scone! Now this is really authentic as well.. I am a huge fan of them. Tried three types this year this one will be the fourth cant wait!
It’s about time for some traditionally Irish food! I’m tired of seeing Guinness cupcakes and the like, haha. These scones look wonderful. I know my Irish-Italian family who is visiting soon would just love them! :) Thanks for sharing. Happy (almost) St. Patrick’s Day!
And a very Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you, too, Georgia! Try the scones with a little whipped cream and strawberry jam.
That does sound like the trip of a lifetime! I’ve always wanted to visit Ireland. I feel like you’ve just taken me there. These scones look positively delightful! Thanks so much for sharing a piece of your experience.
It really was a magical trip! And I’m so glad that we didn’t go with a tour group but just took our time and wandered from place to place. Of course, we had several things planned that we wanted to see while there, but found so much more just driving around!
happy, happy sigh Lana . . . because Ireland is on our list to travel to someday and i just loved reading about your trip and even more the photos; they are just dreamy . . . and those scones are pretty terrific looking too!
Debra – I left a part of my heart in Ireland. And I fully plan to go back again some day! One of the most fun things of the trip was the afternoon we spent with our carriage driver, Ulton, at the Muckross House. Ulton was pure Irish from his head to his toes and could spin a yarn like you’ve never heard!
Oh, your pictures take me back to the trip my husband and I took to Ireland in the 1990s (pre kids). What a beautiful country it is and what wonderful breads they serve.
Kristen, I could have written a whole series of posts on our trip! We had those wonderful Irish breakfasts each morning and the selection of breads, as you say, was unbelievable. Along with the fresh cream, butter and Irish cheese…..oh, yum!
Hi Lana….Loved all those pictures and the virtual tour of such a lovely place…
This scone is something i would love to have right now. I am making it very soon.
Hope you enjoy it, Sangeeta!
These look just wonderful and I think I’m going to have to honor my Irish ancestors and make some scones this weekend.
Do that, Jia! Your Irish ancestors would be proud.
That must have been a trip of a lifetime…gorgeous pictures, and deliicous scones. Some clotted cream & a scone and I’d be singing!
It was, Deeba. And I only have about 1,800 more pictures I could share :-)
Great pics and wonderful memories Lana-enjoy the scones! Happy St. Patrick’s Day:@)
Thanks! And Happy St. Paddy’s Day to you, too.
Have always wanted to travel to Ireland. Sounds like you had a lovely trip (and came away with a lovely recipe!)
We’re looking forward to a return trip one day. Maybe in our retirement days :-)
What a beautiful post! I have Irish blood in me too, and have felt that same pull. I don’t know that I’ll ever make it (doubtful) but maybe in the afterlife! The scones look perfect – wish I had one right now!
I can’t explain it, Mary, but I’ve always felt the strongest pull on my heart strings coming from Ireland. And all the time we were there I just felt like this was home.
Such a yum-worthy recipe, Lana! These would be perfect with traditional clotted cream and perhaps a tiny bit of jam too.
Oh, of course! I meant to add that at the end of the recipe. These are fabulous with a little strawberry jam and, if you can get it, clotted cream. Otherwise, some softened unsalted butter or some softly whipped cream are fine accompaniments as well.