Mouth-Watering Irish Brown Scones Recipe
Hark, and listen closely! For today, I shall bestow upon thee a recipe that shall tantalize thy taste buds and fill thy soul with pure bliss. Gather round, my dear ones, for I have here with me the recipe of Irish Brown Scones – a dish both hearty and wholesome, perfect for a cozy afternoon tea or a breakfast fit for champions.
As a lover of traditional Irish cuisine, I have made it my quest to create the perfect brown scone recipe that not only brings the warmth of home but also celebrates the humble ingredients found in the kitchens of old. Made with all-purpose and whole wheat flour, mixed with brown sugar and buttermilk, and leavened with baking soda, these scones are an ode to classic Irish soda bread.
So come along and join me in this journey to recreate the beauty of Irish baking. With its rustic charm and irresistible flavor, this recipe will surely become a staple in your kitchen. Let us bake away our troubles and indulge ourselves in the comfort of this scrumptious delicacy.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Listen to me friends, and hear me well. For I bring you a recipe most divine, a recipe that shall please your taste buds and satiate your hunger – a recipe for Irish Brown Scones! These scones are not like the ordinary, dry scones that leave you parched and craving for water. Nay, these scones are moist and soft, sweetened with brown sugar and flavored with butter.
Why shall you love this recipe? Oh, let me count the ways! Firstly, it calls for buttermilk, a secret ingredient that lends that extra tangy flavor and moist texture to the scones. Secondly, it uses a combination of all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour, providing you with a dose of wholesome goodness while still being light on the stomach. And if that weren’t enough reason to love this recipe, it also uses baking soda instead of yeast, making the preparation quick and hassle-free.
What’s more? The recipe is versatile and easily adaptable to your preferences. You can add dried currants or raisins to turn them into fruit scones or swap the all-purpose flour for self-raising flour to make them fluffier. The possibilities are endless!
Finally, imagine these brown scones warm from the oven served with generous lashing of butter and jam – perfect for your afternoon tea or breakfast spread. Trust me when I say this: once you try this recipe, you’ll never go back to boring old scones again. So what are you waiting for? Grab those ingredients and start baking yourself some Irish Brown Scones!
Ingredient List
Here is a complete list of the ingredients you’ll need to make Irish Brown Scones:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 6 ounces (1 1/2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 cups buttermilk
For a traditional Irish Brown Scones recipe, you can use coarse wholemeal flour instead of the all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour. Also, some recipes might call for dried currants or raisins for added flavor. Make sure to check-out the alternatives in (5) Substitutions and Variations section.
The Recipe How-To
Here’s how you can make the perfect Irish Brown Scones at home. With a list of basic ingredients and a few simple steps, you’ll have these decadent and dense scones in no time.
Ingredient List
You will need:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 2 cups of whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp of baking soda
- 1 tsp of salt
- 1/2 cup of brown sugar
- 1 cup of cold butter, diced into small cubes
- 1 cup of buttermilk
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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In a large mixing bowl, sift the flours, baking soda, and salt together. Add in the brown sugar and stir until they’re evenly mixed together.
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Next, add the cubed butter to the dry ingredients and mix with your fingers until it forms a coarse cornmeal-like texture.
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Pour in the buttermilk and mix with a wooden spoon or spatula until the dough comes together.
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Lightly dust your work surface with flour and turn out the dough onto it. Knead it gently until it forms a smooth ball that isn’t sticky.
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Roll out the dough to about half-inch thickness, then cut it into circles using a biscuit cutter or the rim of an inverted glass.
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Place the scones on the parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes or until they are golden brown in color.
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Remove from oven and transfer scones to a wire rack to cool.
Serving Suggestions
These Irish Brown Scones are best served warm with some fresh butter or clotted cream on top. They’re also great for afternoon tea or as an accompaniment to soup or stew.
Tips for Perfect Results
- Don’t over-knead the dough as this can lead to tough scones.
- Make sure to use cold butter and buttermilk to achieve that flaky texture.
- For extra flavor, you can add in some dried fruits like currants or raisins to the dough.
- If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make your own by adding a tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to one cup of milk and let it sit for 5 minutes.
Now, delicious scones fresh from your oven are waiting for you!
Substitutions and Variations
Good morrow, my dear culinary enthusiasts! In the midst of preparing this Irish brown scones recipe, it may desireth you to give some modifications to suit thy taste. Thus, let me impart thee with some suggestions for substitutions and variations.
1. Flour substitutions: Instead of using all-purpose flour, thou may useth half a cup of whole wheat or wholemeal flour for a nuttier flavor, or self-raising flour for a fluffier texture.
2. Sugar substitutions: If thou liketh thy scone with a tinge of sweetness, thou can replace the granulated sugar with brown sugar or even honey if thou wish it more delicate.
3. Fruit additions: For those who enjoy fruit-filled scones, thou may add a handful of dried currants or raisins to the dough. Alternatively, feel free to mix and match – cranberries, apricots, and even blueberries make delicious options!
4. Buttermilk replacements: If thou cannot find buttermilk in thy local market, no need to fret! Add one tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to one cup of regular milk as a substitute.
5. Vegan alterations: For our vegan friends out there, replace butter with margarine or coconut oil, and buttermilk substitute (above) or soy milk with lemon juice.
The beauty of baking is the opportunity to inject thine creativity into thy creations! So don’t be afraid to try out these alternatives and have fun tweaking the recipe to fit thy preference. Farewell now and happy baking!
Serving and Pairing
Where there are scones, there must be tea! These Irish brown scones are perfect for a traditional afternoon tea or as a breakfast treat. I recommend serving them warm with a generous smudge of butter and a dollop of jam. The sweetness of the jam beautifully balances the nuttiness of the whole wheat flour and brown sugar.
For an Irish twist, spread some clotted cream over the scone instead of butter and jam! You can also add some dried currants to the batter for a fruity variation. These scones also pair well with savory topping such as smoked salmon, scrambled eggs, or avocado mash.
If you want to get fancy, serve a platter of these scones with your favorite tea blend or coffee. Their rustic and robust flavor will make any afternoon tea party or brunch more enjoyable. Trust me; once you try these Irish brown scones, you would never want to go back to ordinary white scones!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
Ah, dear friends! It is not uncommon to find yourselves with leftover scones. But fear not, for I shall impart my wisdom on how to properly store and reheat these morsels of Irish delight.
To begin, let us discuss the art of making these scones ahead of time. A baker always knows to seize the moment and prepare for the future. These Irish Brown Scones can be made ahead of time and frozen for up to three months. First, let them cool completely after baking. Once cool, wrap them in parchment paper or plastic wrap, and then place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. To reheat them, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator and place them in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes. This will bring them back to their warm, flaky glory.
Now, my friends, let us discuss proper storage. These scones are best eaten on the day they are baked. However, if you must save them for later, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. After the first day, they can be refreshed by reheating them in an oven at 350°F for five minutes.
But why wait so long when you can enjoy these scones freshly baked every day? Simply store the dough in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days before baking. When ready to bake, preheat your oven while bringing the dough to room temperature. Then cut the dough into wedges or circles and bake according to your preferred method.
With these tips, you can enjoy these Irish Brown Scones any time of day without worrying about letting any go to waste!
Tips for Perfect Results
If you want to achieve the perfect texture and taste for your Irish Brown Scones, here are some tips that I would recommend:
1. Use cold butter – Cold butter is essential in achieving a flaky and crumbly texture for your scones. Make sure to cut your butter into small cubes and keep it refrigerated until ready to use.
2. Do not overwork the dough – Overworking the dough can result in tough scones. Once the ingredients are combined, stop mixing as soon as the dough comes together.
3. Use precise measurements – The amount of each ingredient is crucial to make sure you achieve the correct consistency of the dough. Use measuring cups or a kitchen scale to get accurate measurements.
4. Preheat your oven – It’s important to preheat your oven before baking your scones. This ensures that your scones will bake evenly and will have a golden-brown crust.
5. Don’t forget the sugar – Brown sugar is one of the key ingredients that provide sweetness and moisture in this recipe. Be careful not to omit or reduce it, as it may affect the overall taste and texture of your scones.
6. Brush with buttermilk – Brushing your scones with buttermilk before baking gives them a beautiful golden-brown crust and adds moisture to prevent them from drying out.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your Irish Brown Scones turn out perfectly every time. Serve them with butter, jam, or clotted cream for a truly authentic Irish experience.
Bottom Line
Verily, dear reader, I cannot stress enough how delightful these Irish Brown Scones are. From the very scent of freshly baked scones wafting through your kitchen to the pleasurable experience of savoring every last crumb with a steaming cup of tea, this recipe is a must-try for every baker and food lover out there.
Not many can resist the slight sweetness brought about by the combination of brown sugar and butter, complemented by the tangy touch of buttermilk. The coarse texture of wholemeal flour and the subtle hints of baking soda and salt make these scones simply irresistible.
As you prepare these scones using my easy-to-follow recipe, you will see how they come together smoothly with minimal effort. These scones are perfect for a lazy Sunday morning breakfast, a midday snack or an afternoon tea party. Moreover, they are versatile enough to be served with savory spreads or sweet jams- whichever your heart desires.
You can also customize these scones to suit your taste by experimenting with different flours and adding toppings like raisins or cranberries. With so much versatility and flavor packed into one recipe, you simply cannot go wrong with including Irish Brown Scones on your menu.
So I urge you to give this recipe a try and share it with your loved ones because trust me, they will thank you for it. Alongside a cuppa tea, these scones will brighten up anyone’s day!
Irish Brown Scones Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 ounces whole wheat flour
- 6 ounces all-purpose flour
- 4 ounces wheat bran
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2 ounces butter
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 7 fluid ounces buttermilk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F Lightly dust a baking sheet with some flour.
- Put the whole wheat flour and wheat germ into a large mixing bowl. Sift the all-purpose flour, salt and baking soda into the bowl. Mix the ingredients well together with fingers.
- Next, rub in the butter to pea-sized pieces; then mix in the sugar.
- At this stage, put the lightly dusted tin into the oven to preheat.
- Stir in enough buttermilk to make a soft dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead for a few seconds. Cut out scones with a round cookie cutter.
- Put the scones on the preheated baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes or until risen and a golden brown.
- Cool on a wire tray.
Nutrition
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Brian is a British chef cum food blogger who has been in the kitchen since he was a young lad. Growing up in Manchester, he developed a passion for cooking and a keen eye for the perfect dish. He now runs his own blog and YouTube channel, which is dedicated to sharing his passion for food with the world.