Get Almanac's Daily Updates Extended Forecasts Where to Buy Contact Us

Irish Oatmeal Scones

Photo Credit
Sam Jones/Quinn Brein
Written By: The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors The Almanac Editors and Staff
Yield
8 scones
Category
Quickbreads, Coffee Cakes
Course
Breakfast & Brunches
Occasions
St. Patricks Day
Credit
The Inn on Primrose Hill, Belfast, Maine
Sources
Yankee's B&B and Inn Directory

We’ve got the perfect accompaniment for your St. Patrick’s Day dinner. These Irish Oatmeal Scones are a delicious treat with a simple and subtle flavor. While these hearty scones taste great fresh out of the oven, they are even better cooled to room temperature and spread with jam.

Ingredients
1/2 cup currants
water to cover
1-1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 stick butter
1 cup old fashion oats
1/3 cup buttermilk
melted butter
coarse-grained sugar, optional

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Combine currants and water in Pyrex measuring cup. Microwave to boiling point, cover, and let stand.

Combine flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and baking soda in large mixing bowl or Cuisinart bowl. Cut in butter with pastry knife, or pulse in food processor until it resembles coarse meal. Drain currants, then add currants and oats to mixture. Stir in buttermilk until dough is barely moistened.

Turn dough onto floured board and knead 6 to 8 times. Roll or pat into a circle, place on ungreased baking sheet, and score into 8 wedges. Brush the top with melted butter and sprinkle with coarse-grained sugar (if using). Bake for about 15 minutes.

This recipe can be doubled and divided into 3 circles with 6 wedges each. Doubled it yields about 30 two-inch round scones.

About The Author
The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors

The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors

The Almanac Editors and Staff

Under the guiding hand of its first editor, Robert B. Thomas, the premiere issue of The Old Farmer’s Almanac was published in 1792 during George Washington’s first term as president.Today, the Almanac...
Read More from The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors

What's cooking in The Old Farmer's Store?

More Like This

Comments

<span>Barbara A Scaife</span> Mon, 03/15/2021 - 18:08
Hello. I made this recipe, still have some left, believe it or not. They are yummy. However, I read the recipe to mean 'drain the water from the currants, and add currants'. That would mean that the only liquid used in the making of the scones would be the 1/3 c. buttermilk. I had to add another 1/3 to 1/2 c buttermilk to moisten the dry ingredients enough so that it could be handled easily. Also, as a diabetic, I add no sugar to much of my baking. In this case, the currants added enough sweetness for my taste. Thanks for the great recipes. They always peak my interest!!
<span>Tami Leak</span> Mon, 03/15/2021 - 12:43
What's the best way to prepare the currants if you lack a microwave? Thanks.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 03/15/2021 - 14:55

Hi, Tami. You could boil water on the stove and then add to the currants. Using the microwave here just makes things a bit speedier.

 <span>Debbie</span> Mon, 03/15/2021 - 12:26
Can you use raisins or dried cranberries?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 03/15/2021 - 14:53

Hi, Debbie. Yes, you could absolutely sub dried cranberries or raisins in this recipe. Enjoy!

 <span>Denise T</span> Sun, 03/14/2021 - 12:18
Most people don't realize that what are sold as "dried currants" or zante are actually raisins made from a small grape called Black Corinth. They're delicious what ever you call them. Actual currants are a small berry that grows on a bush and is in the goose berry family. Also delicious!
<span>Barbara Catallo</span> Tue, 07/28/2020 - 07:50
Your instructions say to combine first 5 ingredients which include currants and water. Perhaps you need a correction so that readers do not include the first 2 items but rather should combine 3-7 ingredients.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Tue, 07/28/2020 - 13:01

Thank you for your feedback! We've edited the recipe to make the process more clear.

 <span>Ralf Nadir</span> Mon, 03/16/2020 - 06:45
Nutrition information would be very helpful if I am going to make these. Looking to cut cholesterol and A1c numbers.
<span>Aj Currie</span> Wed, 03/20/2019 - 01:03
Would subbing frozen cranberries for the currants work in this recipe?