Thursday

Irish Scones & A GIVEAWAY!



With many of us preparing to celebrate St. Patrick's Day next week, I thought it would be appropriate to share one of my favorite recipes for Irish Scones. This one is from Darina Allen. Darina is the founder of internationally known Ballymaloe Cookery School in County Cork, Ireland.
Several years ago Ms. Allen recognized that the Irish culinary tradition was slipping away, actually in danger of being lost and she set out to research and record the history of food in Ireland. This recipe is from her book
"The Complete Book of Irish Country Cooking ~ Traditional and Wholesome Recipes from Ireland".

To learn more about Darina Allen and her books you can click Darina Allen's Amazon page to see or order her books.


~Fresh and warm from the oven, split and slathered~
The recipe yields a generous 18 to 20 scones (I always cut the recipe in half or thirds.) Darina writes that her mother would make a full batch of the scone dough, and cut it into squares or diamonds for their family of nine. Her mother would also sometimes serve them as after school snacks for her children and there was rarely a crumb left.






This recipe makes the tallest and most flaky scones I have ever tasted, whether it is due to the cutter I use, or Darina's recipe I don't know. I use the largest cutter from this set. (I'm giving a set of these cutters away ~ you can get the details below.)






See how tall and flaky they are? So buttery and tender, too.



Darina suggest serving them with jam or preserves and a dollop of whipped cream on top.
Who am I to argue with her suggestion? :D








She also suggests brushing them with an egg wash and sprinkling with granulated sugar before baking in a very hot oven. This helps them brown up so nicely and adds a slightly crunchy texture which I love.





I do believe they are my favorite scones, and very, very good !

If you would like a copy of Darina's recipe you can find it HERE on my recipe blog.






Now, for the GIVEAWAY!
I highly recommend these sturdy cutters ~ they work really well for cutting perfect shapes for cookies, biscuits, scones, puff pastry, etc.
(They are dishwasher safe.)
If you would like a chance to win a set of the~ RSVP 4 Square Rippled Biscuit Cookie Cutters (Stainless Steel) (click the link to learn more)
The rules to enter for a chance to win are simple:
You must:
1.) Be a follower in my side column
2.) Leave a comment on this post*
3.) One entry per household, please
* If you're not a follower, sign up in the side column, above

Note:
This time, there are no restrictions as to location ~
I'll send the cutters to virtually anywhere in the world!
Good Luck to all who enter!
The winner will be selected randomly and will be announced next Friday,
March 19th.
Please visit Michael's blog "Designs By Gollum" to see everyone who is participating in FOODIE FRIDAY this week. Thank you for hosting us Michael!!



















111 comments:

  1. Oh wow, those scones look so delicious! I just love your beautiful blue and white dishes too.

    Thanks so much for allowing your friends from around the world to enter this great give-away Mari. I am indeed a follower and would love to join in!

    Best wishes and happy weekend,
    Natasha.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beautiful! I love scones and would love to try clotted cream. Do you make it? Your blog is in my reader!
    Thanks for the wonderful eye candy. Cris

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your scones look delicious! Your photography is lovely too. Beautiful dishes! Perfect post with St. Patrick's Day coming up.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have been on a scone kick...making them a couple times a week. I really love the recipe I posted last week, but I'm certainly looking for another good one and these certainly look great!

    I am a follower...count me in!

    ReplyDelete
  5. You have the best gadgets! These scones are gorgeous and tantalizing. I see how each of the steps you noted enhances the final results of the scones.
    I'm tweeting about this giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Welcome back!
    They look wonderful..I like the recipe I have, but I am willing to give A's a try. We don't have the wonderful Irish butter though.
    I am having my 2nd Annual St. Patrick's Day blog crawl the 16th..hope you'll join the parade..:)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Mari, those look absolutely wonderful, and I think those cutters are really cool. Since I have never successfully made a scone (oh, Mari, you don't even want to know!), I think I had better leave my chance to the more qualified and deserving. I would love to have them, however, because I'd like to fool myself into thinking I could be a good baker. But alas, I think a real cook deserves them. Sigh. They are such shiny, WONDERFUl cutters. Very tempting to a magpie. ;-)

    Happy Foodie Friday...

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Yum! The scones look absolutely perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I LOVE your scones and I really have enjoyed Darina's book. I always do scones as part of our St Paddy's observance.

    Beautiful giveaway. I'm a follower :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Mari - your scones are just lovely! They look so scrumptious with the cream and jam on the blue and white plates. Joni

    ReplyDelete
  11. I just signed up to follow! I'm so glad to have found your blog. These scones (especially with the jam and cream) are speaking to my soul.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm a follower now - please sign me up for the contest. I'd love to win these and use them to bake some scones. :-)

    (Just wish I could find some decent clotted cream roundabouts to go with them...)

    anthy_stl [ATT] yahoo [DOTT] com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I followed. I enjoyed reading your blog. I would love to have these and try to make scones. I made lemon curd for the first time last week.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Lovely scones! I do like to have it for my tea this afternoon. Yummy! I am your new follower.

    Have a blessed weekend. Ong.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I've got homemade jam ready for those scones - they look divine!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Yummy and will be making them tomorrow - I'm off tomorrow and will start my day baking these.
    Love the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Mari:
    Thanks so much for the scone recipe! I am one of your faithful followers and would love a chance to win your cutters.
    Thanks again!
    xoxo
    Donna

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love this recipe. When we were in Ireland, the food was rather hip (I was surprised)--spring rolls on the Connemara Coast! I loved them. And I was watching Bourdain and realized that Ireland was undergoing a food revolution. Darina's work is so important to keep the rich tradition. Your scones look ambrosial. I could live on them! Please throw my name into the hat for the cutters.
    XX00

    ReplyDelete
  19. Beautiful scones and a very nice give away too.
    I'm a follower
    Mimi

    ReplyDelete
  20. Yeah, you're back. Right after I found your blog you took a break.

    ReplyDelete
  21. As much as I would love to win those cutters I feel like I've already won a great prize with that recipe! Thank you for sharing it. If mine come out 1/2 as good as yours look then I'm in for a big treat!

    Being Irish myself, I can't wait to try these! They look wonderful.

    Oh and I am a follower! :) I would be crazy not to be!

    Hugs,
    Joanne

    ReplyDelete
  22. Those scones look incredible-I can taste the fresh creme. I love the gadgets I was looking for some of these to make linzer cookies at Christmas. Glad to have discovered your blog. Even if I am rather hungry now.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Count me in, I love to have these cutter. Anyway, your scone and shots look perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Love Scones so much, these look wonderful on the plate. I need a pair of those cutters! I going back in case I do not win and see if you linked up where they can be bought. lol This is so wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I love your blog, will definitely try these scones... I actually need a recipe that makes a bunch! I read all of your posts and love when I get my emails in the 23rd hour :) and I shamelessly post here for the chance to win some more 'gagets' :)

    thanks for the beautiful site either way!

    Chelsea

    ReplyDelete
  26. Mari, Boy do those scones look delicious and boy could I dive in and have one or two , but I can't reach them, so I am out of luck.

    I am a follower, so please enter my name in your gracious giveaway.

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  27. Mari, a family from Ireland rented the beach house next to ours and surprised us with scones that they just pulled out of the oven! I will never forget it, they were wonderful. The cutters are lovely, and I would be honored to display them with my gadgets. Best, Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  28. Scones and a pot of tea - delightful. Going to give the recipe a try - Happy St. Paddy's Day!

    These cutters would really improve the presentation of my baked scones, biscuits and other pastries.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Those are the prettiest scones ever. Great of you to trumpet Darina's praises... she single-handedly stirred the Irish consciousness to treasure their cuisine... and with ingredients like they have... it is a treasure. Thanks so much for reminding me about her!! Your pictures are superb!

    ReplyDelete
  30. I've actually never had a scone before. I keep seeing them and wanting to make them. I don't know why I never have! These look so yummy :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. Mari, just in time for St. Pat's day. This recipe is a little different from the one I use, because it has eggs in it. Mine is more like sweetened biscuits made with cream instead of milk. But yours looks soooo wonderful I may have to try adding eggs...

    ReplyDelete
  32. I cannot wait to try these..Their puffiness factor alone..makes me want to try the recipe..well done.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Scones are one of my favourites! Those look just perfect! And with the cream....I'm salivating right now. Thanks for posting that! And thanks for the great giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hi Mari, What beautiful pictures...and the food looks and sounds so yummy...I love the cutters,so please count me in on all the fun...
    xoxo
    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  35. those are beautiful~so picture perfect...am printing off the recipe now! please add me to the cutter giveaway :)
    danica@
    duelingdishes

    ReplyDelete
  36. Thank you for sharing this recipe with us! The scones look delicious! I would love to be entered in the cutter giveaway...thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Lovely post, as always, and great photos! I would love to win those adorable cutters!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Oh my goodness! Gorgeous photos of delicious scones! Thanks so much for the recipe.

    Wonderful giveaway, too.

    I just signed on to follow.

    ReplyDelete
  39. I can't wait to share this with my daughter (17). She is the baker and food maker in the house now. I know she will be trying out this recipe!!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Enjoying your lovely blog. On a recent trip to Ireland, we stopped at a bakery and gift shop and tasted their amazing scones. I'm looking forward to trying this recipe!
    Thank-you.

    ReplyDelete
  41. On your advise I will try this recipe this weekend. I have been searching for a wonderful scone recipe. Most I have tried have been ordinary. I'll let you know but yours look delightful.
    Yes I am a follower.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Gorgeous Photos... I would feel like I was on a holiday at your house.
    XO
    Valerie

    ReplyDelete
  43. Hi Mari, I've just become a follower to your blog, although I've been reading your blog the last few months. Your recipes, and photos are so beautiful and creative. I've taken down many of your recipes to make, they are just so appetizing, just like these scones. Thank you for your blog, it's a joy to visit.

    ReplyDelete
  44. I do love scones and have the round set of cutters, but not the square! Please pop my name into the drawing. These are so tall and handsome that I'll have to give them a whirl. Your photos are always so luscious that I leave here hungry.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Hello Mari,
    I check my email just to see what you have sent us today and these scones look amazing. My husband and I have two boys and I can't wait to make them these scones when we are in our cabin in Montana. The scones look like they would be a great addition to a big country beakfast to get everyone fed to work on the ranch!!

    Kind Regards,

    montanacabin7@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  46. Welcome back, Mari. I hope you had a lovely break and accomplished a few of the projects on your list.

    Your scones are simply scrumptious, light as clouds. Love the scalloped cutters, too. I've got my fingers crossed.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Oh Mari, your photos, as always, are ready for cookbook publishing. These scones look so good. I love the cutters...would love to win. I am so glad you are back.

    ReplyDelete
  48. I love scones and have never seen any that look this flaky..can't wait to try them.
    Your photos are absolutely amazing. So pretty..you are very good at this!! :O)

    Please add my name for the cutters. They look so neat and I would love to have a set. Very generous giveaway, dear one.
    xo bj

    ReplyDelete
  49. What gorgeous scones, on such pretty plates! I'd love these cutters for my own scones and biscuts. I am already a follower.
    Thanks for the mention of the cookbook too.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Oh my, do those scones look delicious. I will be making those soon (after I make the lemon cake from yesterday - that's on the slate for this weekend.)

    What a wonderful give-away, I would be thrilled to win the cutters. Thank you for the opportunity!

    ReplyDelete
  51. So happy you're back! I'm a follower and I so enjoy your blog. This recipe looks amazing. I plan to make it soon.

    =D

    ReplyDelete
  52. I've been searching for a new scone recipe. Mine is too heavy/dense. I'll try this one ASAP! And I would love to win the cutters. There's something so attractive about graduated sizes of anything!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Mari~
    I love your blog and I am happy to see you back from your blogcation! These scones look heavenly.... can't wait to try them! As always, your food looks amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  54. I have been stalking these square biscuit cutters on Amazon forever and would love to win them. I have clotted cream in the fridge just waiting for their arrival. Your offering this morning looks luscious!

    ReplyDelete
  55. THose scones are beautiful and you table shots are always gorgeous. THanks for the cahnce at the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  56. I have been a follower and have tried many of your delicious recipes! I am definitely going to try thie scone recipe. I love scones and tea parties, so I will have to give this one a try.,,,maybe today...
    Please enter me in your giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  57. This scones look just like my Nan used to make.. I grew up in the England, so scones where and still are a huge part of my life.. These like just fab.

    ReplyDelete
  58. Love scones and can't wait to try this recipe. This is one of my fav blogs and looove those biscuit cutters!

    ReplyDelete
  59. Your scones do look delicious. I'll have to try making them.

    Paz

    ReplyDelete
  60. they do look wonderful. I think I'm a follower but I can't tell...

    ReplyDelete
  61. these look great... thank you for all of your sharing... your photography is beautiful! i have made several of your recipes. my favorite is the penguin olives... my son, who loves penguins was thrilled with these when i made them for his birthday party... oh, i should mention he's 25 :)

    ReplyDelete
  62. What lovely scones you've made, Mari!
    They really are light & fluffy looking. My first attempts were sad compared to yours, but I'll keep trying.

    I have several of Darina Allen's cookbooks but never thought to look in one for HER scone recipe. Duh? Next time for sure & maybe I'll get lucky & be able to use one of those really neat cutters if I win. :-D

    Thank you for offering such a neat give-away.
    Did I tell you I went out & bought the exact same blue tea set as the one you gave away last time? Since I didn't win it, when I saw one on sale, I just had to have it. I'm hoping to do a tablescape with them next week. DGD Caroline is coming for an overnight sleepover & we're planning a tea party!

    fondly,
    Rett

    ReplyDelete
  63. Those look divine - I would love to win a set of cutters and bake up a batch!

    I'm a follower too, and never miss a post!

    ReplyDelete
  64. those look so good!

    I am a follower :)

    ReplyDelete
  65. Just the other day, I was thinking I really wanted to re create my cream tea I had in Cornwall this summer. I even found some double cream in Berkeley. It is the closest you can get to clotted cream.
    Yours scones look so yummy, I can smell them all the way from here :)

    ReplyDelete
  66. Love all the wonderful recipes.

    ReplyDelete
  67. It all looks wonderful!! Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  68. Those scones look so delicious :o)Calico is one of my favourite patterns - reminds me of my childhood.
    The cutters are really sturdy - just the job for a manic baker! Please enter me in the draw - thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  69. I am a follower of this blog since a long time ago :)

    A while ago there was a giveaway at my blog too. It's very insteresting specially because we find out silent readers and new bloggers :)

    Cheers from Azores.

    ReplyDelete
  70. I just love your photography! Thanks for the recipe. I'll have to try these!

    I'm a new follower of your blog. Karen Lana from Green Onions sent me over.

    Nice to meet ya!

    ReplyDelete
  71. We love scones. I really don't think there's any other way to do them justice than by topping them with jam and cream.

    Please enter me in your very generous give-away. I've never seen square scone cutters ~ I love them!

    ReplyDelete
  72. Hi Mari...your scones look marvelous as usual...I would love to be included in your giveaway...I have been looking for these cutters for ages since seeing Ina make shortbread cookies dipped in chocolate using them....Glad your back!!
    Sue @ Rue Mouffetard...

    ReplyDelete
  73. I have always wanted to make scones since I am Irish but I have been intimidated.
    The recipe and these cutters would make it less intimidating.

    msgb245 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  74. I am a follower and I love scones. I usually use a Barefoot Contessa recipe, but I'll have to give this one a try. yum!

    ReplyDelete
  75. Beautifully done! I adore scones, and this recipe is a must. Glad to see you back.

    ReplyDelete
  76. Those scones look divine. I love scones that are nicely browned. I will have to make these for my next tea party.

    I am a follower of your blog. Plese enter me in your giveaway. The cutters look wonderful.

    Off to read about the lemon drizzle cake, yum!

    ReplyDelete
  77. I'd love to enter to win these! The scones look fantastic! Yummy! :)

    ReplyDelete
  78. They look fabulous!
    I am making Darina's soda bread tomorrow...my favorite...

    I love those cutters...they look really nice!

    I think I will make these as well...
    the kids will be thrilled!

    I have the same dishes Mary...I love them!
    L~xo

    ReplyDelete
  79. I've been looking for a genuine Irish scone recipe now for some time and here it is! This is perfect for the Saint Patty's day dinner we are invited to this weekend. I am sooooo very thrilled to find this and to be able to present an authentic recipe. You are the BEST!!!

    Hugs and Happy St.Patty's Day.

    Top o' the morning to ya!

    ReplyDelete
  80. I am going to try these. They look divine. You take great food pictures!

    ReplyDelete
  81. Those really *are* the tallest scones I've ever seen. They look so flaky and delicious. Great giveaway, Mari... I'd love to have a set of those cutters! :)

    ReplyDelete
  82. Beautiful as always! I'd love to win these, my scone shapes are such an embarrassment.

    ReplyDelete
  83. These are beautiful! They remind me of scones I had in a little tea shop in southern Georgia this past January.

    Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  84. You have a beautiful blog. One can tell you are truly talented and have a love of sharing. I thank you for that. I realtively new to blog land and become obsessed with watching them HA HA.
    I have learned so much and enjoyed the "eye candy". Thank you again for sharing your time and talents.
    These scones look yummy. I have never made any or have tasted one. Why, I don't know but this receipe looks easy and tasty. Please enter me in your contest. thanks,
    Corrie

    ReplyDelete
  85. Oh my, what delicious looking scones! The photographs of them are stunning! I am new to blogging and your blog is amazing!
    Nancy's Notes

    ReplyDelete
  86. Those scones look absolutely fabulous. I love irish scones with raspberry jam and clotted cream - brings me back to our last trip to the Irish countryside.

    ReplyDelete
  87. OMG...these look amazing! I am making these for sure (even though I don't have those square cutters). Thank you so much for your recipes and beautiful photos!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  88. I just adore how you've prettied up those delicious looking scones with the little flowers.. primroses? :-) Those look like great cutters!
    ~Lara from Under The Lilacs

    ReplyDelete
  89. Those scones look delish! I had a chance to experience clotted cream while I was visiting England and there is just nothing like it. So rich and yummy with scones and jam. I miss it...
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    ~Jenny~

    ReplyDelete
  90. Mari, thank you for sharing the lovely scones. I've "bookmarked" the recipes. I already have those cutters and use them for scones, biscuits, tea sandwiches, bar cookies, etc. The winner will love having and using them.

    Best,
    Bonnie

    ReplyDelete
  91. These look delicious! Can't wait to try the recipe.

    I'm a new follower. Thanks for offering the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  92. These scones are mouthwatering-ly beautiful! I'm going to click follow now :)

    ReplyDelete
  93. The scones look great, I can't wait to try them. The shaped cutters make a much more elegant presentation than the ice cream scoop I use. I know, ice cream scoop? Well, when one is in a hurry....Thanks for sharing the recipe and lovely pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  94. These scones do look heavenly--I am in search of a delicious scone recipe, will try this one and see if it is indeed the taste and texture that I am looking for. The last delicious scone I've tasted was at a local french style patisserie--which went out of business (boo!!)some 12 years ago.
    Thank you for sharing your creations.
    Most sincerely,
    Stephanie Schutt

    ReplyDelete
  95. I LOVE YOUR BLOG AND I MISSED YOU WHILE YOU WERE ON BLOGCATION!
    I hope you had a good rest!
    The cutters are amazing and I hope to win them!

    ReplyDelete
  96. Those cutters are awesome. Please enter me in the contest. I love all those gorgeous dishes. Your blog is so yummy!

    ReplyDelete
  97. Your blog is beyond amazing. I get so inspired by your beautiful photographs and ideas. I should only have 1/10th of your creativity!!

    ReplyDelete
  98. Those scones look delicious. I hope I win, so I can make some for my Dad. He loves scones.
    Sheila

    ReplyDelete
  99. I've just found you via Attic24 and so pleased I did! I'm so inspired by your photos, they're beautifully styled, obviously with a lot of care. I spend a lot of time growing fruit and veg (wish I could keep chickens too!) so these scones will be perfect for my team of gardeners at the end of the day. Looking forward to browsing your blog and following regularly. Caro xx (in London UK)

    ReplyDelete
  100. Darina was on "Martha" today and she made her scones. Oh how I would love to go to her 12 week cooking school. But I would also love to win these cutters. Please sign me up...I became a follower today and I look forward to keeping up with your posts and adventures! My twin daughters birthday is the 19th...they will be 25...perhaps they will bring me luck! lol

    Stay Cozy, Carrie

    ReplyDelete
  101. Mari-I found your blog by accident last week and I'm so glad I did!! I just signed up to be a follower and I already have your blog feed right to my email!

    These scones are AMAZING! I have never seen scones so buttery, flaky, and high before. And I have had and made my share of scones over the years! It would be so fun to win the cutters. Thankyou for having this delightful contest. In reality we are all winners thanks to your publishing the recipe and pictures here on your blog! NJ

    ReplyDelete
  102. Yummy! So fun to have another scone recipe. The cutters would be so fun to use. CL

    ReplyDelete
  103. The scones look divine and your whole blog is just beautiful! I have enjoyed looking and looking and looking!! Thank you so much for sharing your talent!

    ReplyDelete
  104. So glad you are back. Love your blog, recipes and especially the photos. BTW, March 19th is my birthday. 51, sweet.

    Mary

    ReplyDelete
  105. Yum, I haven't had scones in forever! They look so delicious.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your comments, friends ~ they make my day!

A Sampling of my food . . .

Subscribe:

 Subscribe in a reader...or

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner