Adventures of Mel

Category: St. Patrick’s Day

Fruity Pebbles Ice Cream
Learn how to make homemade Fruity Pebbles ice cream, infused with a rainbow of flavors. Easy cereal milk ice cream recipe you can make to eat in 30 minutes. It’s colorful, creamy, and oh so delicious!

Fruity Pebbles has long been one of my favorite cereals, ever since I was a kid. It was a rare treat, so that made it that much more special when we actually had a box in the cabinet.

I love the crunchy, fruity flavor of this cereal; and I do have to say, it makes some rather delicious cereal milk at the end of a bowl too.

I’ve made other Fruity Pebbles treats in the past, like these Fruity Pebble Christmas trees. And now I’m excited to share this Fruity Pebble ice cream with you, with my raw milk vanilla ice cream as the base.

Why You’re Going to Love This Ice Cream Recipe

There are a few reasons to love this Fruity Pebbles ice cream recipe…
- It’s super easy to make and takes less than 30 minutes ’til you can actually eat the ice cream soft serve.
- Color! This ice cream is so colorful; in fact, it’s a rainbow of colors!
- You’ll use simple ingredients, so there’s no sweetened condensed milk and no eggs. Just milk, sugar, cream, and a few more ingredients to really infuse all the flavors.
- You can eat it in a bowl or eat it on a cone.
- This cereal milk ice cream tastes exactly like the yummy sweet cereal milk you’re left with at the end of a bowl of Fruity Pebbles.
- There will be leftovers. Unless you’re feeding a crowd, you’ll have plenty left over. I have a family of 5, and I actually make one batch of this to last a few days. Sometimes during the hotter months it goes a lot quicker; but we always have leftovers to store in the freezer and enjoy through the week.
Ingredients and Substitutions Notes

Gather the handful of ingredients it takes to make this ice cream…
- Whole Milk – While you can use 2% or skim milk, your ice cream won’t be quite as creamy as if you use whole milk.
- Cane Sugar – While I prefer to use organic cane sugar, you can also use granulated sugar.
- Sea Salt – This right here is an ingredient you definitely want to include; don’t leave it out. Without the salt, you won’t get near as good a flavor.
- Fruity Pebbles Cereal – You’ll need almost 2 cups of this wonderfully crunchy cereal. We’ll talk about more cereal alternatives further below.
- Heavy Cream
- Orange Zest – I prefer to use orange zest because it gives a stronger orange flavor than juice, and it pairs really well with the fruity flavors in the cereal. You can also add lemon zest if desired.
- Vanilla Extract – Again, this just helps give that flavor a kick.
How to Make Fruity Pebbles Ice Cream

Before you start to mix this up, be sure you’ve pre-frozen the ice cream canister that goes with your ice cream maker; if you don’t, your ice cream won’t freeze.

I usually just wash mine after using, then store it, covered with wrap, in the freezer. That way it’s always frozen and ready to go. (Oh, how I wish Cuisinart would make a lid for our ice cream canisters, don’t you? It’s my one wish for this ice cream maker.)
How to Mix It and Freeze It

In a large mixing bowl, combine the whole milk, sugar, and salt ’til the sugar and salt dissolve, about 1-2 minutes.

Add the Fruity Pebbles to the mixture, and blend ’til combined.

Whisk in the heavy cream, orange zest, and vanilla extract, mixing well.

Turn on the ice cream freezer, and pour the mixture into the freezer bowl with the churn paddle in place.

Then place the cover on top, and let it mix ’til it thickens, about 20-25 minutes.

When the ice cream has a soft, creamy texture, turn off the machine, and scoop the soft-serve ice cream into bowls for serving; or if desired, scoop it into an airtight container, and place it in the freezer for 2-3 hours to firm up more. Then serve when ready.
Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

Do you have to leave whole cereal pieces in the mixture?
No, you don’t. If you don’t like the soggy cereal texture, you can either let the cereal infuse into the milk for at least an hour before mixing up the ice cream, then strain it out; or you can crush the cereal into smaller bits and mix that into the ice cream. If it were me, I’d crush the cereal and still let it infuse into the ice cream as it mixes.

Can you use another cereal besides Fruity Pebbles?
Of course! You can make Cocoa Pebbles ice cream. You could also use another other cereal you like, for example, Fruit Loops, Crunch Berries, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and more. The sky’s the limit!

How do you store cereal milk ice cream?
Store it in an airtight container in the freezer; it needs to be airtight so it doesn’t get freezer burn. It should last up to 2 weeks. I use these super cool ice cream containers, and I have 2 of them, so I can always have 1-2 containers of ice cream in the freezer for the kids. They work great, and they’re easy to wash too. You can find more options in my guide filled with ice cream accessories and tools.

Recipe Variations

Gosh, there are so many things you can add or change about this recipe to switch it up…
- Swirl in a fruity sauce, like strawberry sauce or raspberry sauce.
- Swap out cereals, like we talked about above in the FAQ’s. You can use Fruit Loops, Crunch Berries, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and more. The sky’s the limit!
- Add mini marshmallows toward the end of the churning/freezing process, or add marshmallow fluff into the mixture to give it even more flavor, sweetness, and texture.
- Add in chunked or chopped fruit, like strawberries, cherries, or blueberries toward the end of the churn process, probably the last 5 minutes.
- Make a sundae with syrup and sprinkles (or more cereal sprinkled) on top. Better yet, sandwich this ice cream between sugar cookies or brownies and enjoy a refreshing ice cream sandwich.
More Ice Cream Recipes

If you love this recipe, you’re going to love these flavors too…
If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!
Fruity Pebbles Ice Cream

How to make homemade Fruity Pebbles ice cream with a rainbow of flavors. Easy cereal milk ice cream recipe you can make to eat in 30 minutes.
Large Mixing Bowl
Ice Cream Maker
Ice Cream Container with Lid
Ice Cream Scoop
1 1/4 cups whole milk
1 1/8 cups cane sugar
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 3/4 cups Fruity Pebbles cereal
3 cups heavy cream
2 teaspoons orange zest
1 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
Before you start to mix this up, be sure you've pre-frozen the ice cream canister that goes with your ice cream maker; if you don't, your ice cream won't freeze.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the whole milk, sugar, and salt 'til the sugar and salt dissolve, about 1-2 minutes.
Add the Fruity Pebbles to the mixture, and blend 'til combined.
Whisk in the heavy cream, orange zest, and vanilla extract, mixing well.
Turn on the ice cream freezer, and pour the mixture into the freezer bowl with the churn paddle in place.
Then place the cover on top, and let it mix 'til it thickens, about 20-25 minutes.
When your Fruity Pebble ice cream has a soft, creamy texture, turn off the machine, and scoop the soft-serve ice cream into bowls for serving; or if desired, scoop it into an airtight container, and place it in the freezer for 2-3 hours to firm up more. Then serve when ready.
*If you don’t like the soggy cereal texture, you can either let the cereal infuse into the milk for at least an hour before mixing up the ice cream, then strain it out; or you can crush the cereal into smaller bits and mix that into the ice cream. If it were me, I’d crush the cereal and still let it infuse into the ice cream as it mixes.

Store this ice cream in an airtight container in the freezer; it needs to be airtight so it doesn’t get freezer burn. It should last up to 2 weeks.

Dessert
American
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August 10, 2023
Cheesy Sloppy Joe Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
How to make a sloppy joe shepherd’s pie with ground beef, mashed potatoes, and cheese. Comfort food casserole recipe perfect for dinner!

Sloppy joe casserole with potatoes is one meal that we enjoy any time of year, but I especially love to make it around St. Patrick’s Day. It’s one of my family’s favorite comfort meals.

And it’s a fairly easy recipe, especially if you plan ahead and use leftover mashed potatoes.

The homemade sloppy joes mixture gives this casserole a delicious flavor. That and the melted cheese on top, which just adds to the comfort of sloppy joe potato casserole.

Don’t think for a minute that making homemade sloppy joe meat is difficult because it’s actually just a matter of adding a few seasonings and sauces to the meat to give it that saucy flavor. You can even make crock pot sloppy joes!

Another easy dinnertime favorite we enjoy (and I enjoy making cuz it’s easy) is classic tater tot casserole.

WHERE CAN I FIND THE ACTUAL RECIPE CARD?

If you’d rather skip all of my casserole making tips, important info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the sloppy joe shepherd’s pie recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

LET’S TALK INGREDIENTS

Bacon Grease: If you don’t have bacon grease, don’t worry. You can use olive oil or butter instead. Just use what you have.

Garlic Clove: A little tip… If you want to make recipes quicker, buy a small jar of already minced garlic and store it in the fridge. Then you’ll have it for any recipes you make with garlic.

Yellow Onion: You can use a sweet onion, but we prefer a yellow onion because it’s not as sugary, and it’s a great all around onion for just about any recipe we make.

Ground Beef: While we prefer the taste and flavor of lean ground beef, you can use ground turkey for this recipe.

Ketchup, Worcestershire Sauce, and Brown Sugar: Now you can use Manwich sloppy joe sauce, but homemade is definitely going to have better flavor. And these 3 ingredients do the job well.

Frozen Corn: I love adding a bit of thawed frozen corn to our casserole, but you can use canned corn if you don’t have frozen. Keep in mind, frozen corn will be a bit crisper, and I actually prefer the flavor of frozen over canned. Another delicious idea is creamed corn instead of whole corn.

Mashed Potatoes: Use leftover mashed potatoes if possible for this recipe, and you’ll save yourself even more time. To save time, you can always buy a package of already made mashed potatoes at the store; or you can make shepherd’s pie with instant mashed potatoes.

Cheese: We always use a blend of extra sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack.

Keep in mind, all of the ingredients and ingredient amounts you’ll need are in the printable recipe card below.

KITCHEN TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT YOU’LL NEED:

Ninja Food Chopper Express or Cutting Board and Chef’s Knife

Large Skillet and/or Casserole Dish

Hamburger Chopper – This handy dandy tool makes it easier to chop up the meat into a much looser mixture.

Wooden Spatula

Cheese Grater

HOW TO MAKE SLOPPY JOE SHEPHERD’S PIE

Gather your ingredients, and start by cooking both your ground beef mixture and mashed potatoes.

HOW TO MAKE SLOPPY JOE SAUCE FROM SCRATCH

Start by cooking the ground beef and transforming it into sloppy joe meat.

Again, I do recommend using bacon grease for added flavor to the meat mixture. But if you don’t have bacon grease, no worries; you can also use butter or olive oil.
1. Sauté the garlic and onion, and cook until tender, in a large skillet.
2. Then add the meat and mix together with the garlic and onion.
3. Cook the mixture well, draining off any excess oil.
4. Mix the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar into the meat, and let the whole mixture simmer for a good 5 minutes.
LAYERING SLOPPY JOE CASSEROLE WITH MASHED POTATOES

You can use a 9×13-inch casserole dish or baking dish; or you can even use a large cast iron skillet. If you use a cast iron skillet, you can pretty much go through the entire cooking process with that one skillet, making it a one skillet meal.
1. Start with a layer of the cooked meat (your sloppy joe meat mixture) in the bottom of the pan.
2. Next add a layer of either whole corn or creamed corn. Either one is delicious.
3. Now add a good thick layer of mashed potatoes.
4. Finally, add the shredded cheese as your top layer.
Then just stick it in the oven at 350° F for about 20 to 30 minutes, ’til everything is heated thru and bubbly, and the cheese is melted.

FAQ:

How should I store any leftover casserole?
Scoop it into an airtight container with a lid (or cover with plastic wrap), and store it in the fridge. It should keep for 3 to 4 days.

Can I freeze sloppy joe mashed potato casserole?
Yes, you can. You can make it ahead of time, allow it to cool, cover it well, and freeze it for a later time. If you’re going to freeze it, I’d suggest baking it in a 9×13 baking dish with an airtight lid. It should freeze well for about a month.

How do I re-heat it?
When you’re ready to eat it, just remove it from the freezer ahead of time, and place it in the fridge to thaw. Then re-heat in the oven at 350° F, with a foil cover so the cheese doesn’t brown. It may take 30 to 45 minutes for it to heat thru.

MORE SLOPPY JOE FAVORITES:
GET THE PRINTABLE RECIPE

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Sloppy Joe Shepherd’s Pie

How to make a sloppy joe shepherd's pie with ground beef, mashed potatoes, and cheese. Comfort food casserole recipe perfect for dinner!
1 tablespoon bacon grease ((or olive oil))
1 clove garlic (minced)
1/2 medium yellow onion (minced)
1 pound ground beef
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tablespoon light brown sugar
2 cups frozen corn
4 cups mashed potatoes
3/4 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
3/4 cup Monterey Jack cheese (shredded)
Pre-heat the oven to 350° F.
Heat the bacon grease, or olive oil, in a large skillet over medium heat.
Then add in the garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes.
Add the onion in with the garlic and sauté for another 2-3 minutes.
Add the ground beef into the skillet, stirring the onions and garlic into the meat. Cook on medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the meat is well cooked. Drain off any excess oil when the meat has finished cooking.
Mix the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar into the meat, stirring until combined. Let this mixture simmer for at least 5 minutes.
Layer the sloppy joe meat in the bottom of the skillet or a 9×13 baking dish.
Next add a layer of corn.
Now add a good thick layer of mashed potatoes.
Finally, add the shredded cheese as the top layer.
Bake the casserole at 350° F for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the mixture is heated through and bubbly, and the cheese is melted.
*I recommend using bacon grease for the added flavor it will give to the meat mixture. But if you don’t have bacon grease, no worries; you can also use butter or olive oil.

*You can use frozen corn, canned corn, or creamed corn. Either one is delicious, but depending which one you use, it may change the nutritional counts for this recipe. Also, keep in mind, frozen corn will be a bit crisper, and I actually prefer the flavor of frozen over canned.

How should I store any leftover casserole?

Scoop it into an airtight container with a lid (or cover with plastic wrap), and store it in the fridge. It should keep for 3 to 4 days.

Can I freeze sloppy joe mashed potato casserole?

Yes, you can. You can make it ahead of time, allow it to cool, cover it well, and freeze it for a later time. If you’re going to freeze it, I’d suggest baking it in a 9×13 baking dish with an airtight lid. It should freeze well for about a month.

How do I re-heat it?

When you’re ready to eat it, just remove it from the freezer ahead of time, and place it in the fridge to thaw. Then re-heat in the oven at 350° F, with a foil cover so the cheese doesn’t brown. It may take 30 to 45 minutes for it to heat thru.

Dinner Ideas, Main Dish – Casserole
American
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March 11, 2021
Grasshopper Sundae Easy Last Minute Dessert
Make a decadent grasshopper sundae with mint chocolate chip ice cream and Oreo cookies in minutes. Delicious last minute dessert recipe!

This mint chocolate chip sundae is just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, and it’s such an easy dessert to make. It makes the perfect last minute dessert; in fact, it’ll seem like you’ve gone all out, when really, it only takes a few minutes to make this yummy frozen dessert.

Mint chocolate chip ice cream has been a favorite of mine since I was a little girl. While I have my favorite brand, and I’ll talk about that a little bit on down below, any brand will do, as long as it’s minty and full of chocolate chips.

Now normally, grasshopper flavored ice cream is full of both chocolate and brownies. Instead of brownies, though, I love the crunchiness of crushed or chunked up Oreo cookies.

Put your mint chocolate chip ice cream sundae together with shaved chocolate and whipped cream (or peppermint whipped cream), and you’ve got a family favorite dessert.

WHERE CAN I FIND THE ACTUAL RECIPE CARD?

If you’d rather skip all of my sundae making tips, important info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the mint chocolate sundae recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

LET’S TALK INGREDIENTS

Oreo Cookies: You can use any brand chocolate sandwich cookies, but Oreo cookies are the best. I especially love gluten-free Oreos (Great Value has a great gluten-free version of Oreos too).

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream: I said I’d tell you my favorite brand, and that is Turkey Hill’s Choco Mint Chip. Blue Ribbon is another tasty brand, but I really love Turkey Hill’s version of mint chip, because it’s a beautiful old-fashioned minty green, has amazing mint flavor, and is chock full of slivered up chocolate chips. It’s so delicious. Oh and it’s gluten-free and also free of any high-fructose corn syrup. If you’d rather make homemade and love mint cookie ice cream, I love my Oreo mint ice cream recipe; it’s so, so good! Now that my sales pitch is over (but really, it’s my boys’ favorite too), let’s talk about some of the other ingredients.

Chocolate Syrup or Sauce: You can use a chocolate syrup or hot fudge sauce. I prefer to just drizzle on a little bit of Hershey’s Syrup. No warming necessary, and it’s super easy.

Whipped Cream: You can make homemade whipped cream, or you can use Reddi-Whip. But take my advice if using Reddi-Whip, and get the real stuff; this is one example when generic is not always better, because it will melt very quickly.

Shaved Dark Chocolate: I used just a little chunk of Baker’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate. You can use just a regular candy bar if you want. I prefer to use dark chocolate over milk chocolate, though, for a richer, more decadent flavor.

Keep in mind, all of the ingredients and ingredient amounts you’ll need are in the printable recipe card below.

KITCHEN TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT YOU’LL NEED:

Before you get started making your sundae, you may want to check out our complete guide to ice cream tools and equipment. It’s the ultimate supply list for every ice cream lover’s kitchen.

Plastic Baggie and Rolling Pin – for crushing up the Oreos.

Vegetable Peeler – for shaving the chocolate.

Sundae Bowls or Sundae Cups

Ice Cream Scoop

HOW TO MAKE A GRASSHOPPER SUNDAE

Before you get started, be sure to gather all of your ingredients together, and get them prepped.

Prep Your Ingredients First…

The only prep needed for this sundae is to crush up the Oreos and shave the chocolate.

To crush the Oreo cookies, put all your Oreos in a plastic baggie, and seal it well without any air left in the bag. Then take a rolling pin and roll over the cookies, or beat the cookies with the rolling pin, ’til they’re the consistency that you want.

To shave the chocolate, take a vegetable peeler and peel the chocolate bar, just like you would a carrot or a potato. You should get beautiful fine shavings or curls of chocolate, perfect for topping off and decorating your sundae.

Then Make the Sundaes…
1. Place 1/2 to 3/4 of the crushed Oreo cookies in the bottom of your sundae bowls. Set the rest of the crumbles aside.
2. Add 2 to 3 scoops of mint chocolate chip ice cream to each sundae bowl.
3. Add a drizzle of chocolate syrup to every sundae.
4. Crumble on the rest of the crushed Oreos.
5. Add a swirl of whipped cream on top.
6. Then sprinkle on the shaved chocolate.
Now if you want, you can add a cherry on top. Maraschino cherries straight from the jar work just fine.

FAQ:

Can I make this sundae dairy-free?
To make it dairy-free, you’d need to use a dairy-free mint chocolate chip ice cream or gelato. It’s pretty easy to find dairy-free ice cream in the freezer section; but it may prove more difficult to find the rest of the ingredients dairy-free, though they may be easier to find at a health food store.

Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes, you can; I make this gluten-free. Get a good gluten-free ice cream (like Turkey Hill’s Choco Mint Chip), gluten-free Oreos, etc. Just check ingredient labels to make sure everything is truly gluten-free.

How can I make sundaes ahead of time so they’re ready to go?
If making these sundaes a day or two ahead of time, I’d recommend adding only the Oreos, ice cream, and chocolate syrup to your sundae bowls. Then cover each one well with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and place them in the freezer. When you’re ready to serve, you can add the whipped cream and shaved chocolate.

WHAT GOES WELL WITH MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP ICE CREAM?

Well, we’ve already established that Oreo cookies are my favorite addition. But there are other things you can add, as well, including the following:
- Brownies – Chunk up brownies to mix with your mint chocolate ice cream.
- Walnuts or pecans – You can sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans onto your sundaes.
- Hot fudge sauce
- Chocolate cake or chocolate cupcakes
- Crushed peppermint candies or candy canes
- Andes Mints
- Chocolate graham crackers
- Make really delicious homemade ice cream sandwiches with mint chip ice cream.
What would you add to mint chocolate chip ice cream?

MORE ST. PATRICK’S DESSERT IDEAS:
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Grasshopper Sundae Easy Last Minute Dessert

Make a decadent grasshopper sundae with mint chocolate chip ice cream and Oreo cookies in minutes. Delicious last minute dessert recipe!
12 Oreo Cookies (crushed*)
2 quarts mint chocolate chip ice cream
1/2 cup chocolate syrup
1 cup whipped cream
2 tablespoons semi-sweet chocolate (shaved*)
4 Maraschino cherries (optional)
Place 1/2 to 3/4 of the crushed Oreo cookies in the bottom of your sundae bowls. Set the rest of the crumbles aside.
Add 2 to 3 scoops of mint chocolate chip ice cream to each sundae bowl.
Add a drizzle of chocolate syrup to every sundae.
Crumble on the rest of the crushed Oreos.
Add a swirl of whipped cream on top.
Then sprinkle on the shaved chocolate.
If you want, you can add a cherry on top. Maraschino cherries straight from the jar work just fine.
*To crush the Oreo cookies, put all your Oreos in a plastic baggie, and seal it well without any air left in the bag. Then take a rolling pin and roll over the cookies, or beat the cookies with the rolling pin, ’til they’re the consistency that you want.

*To shave the chocolate, take a vegetable peeler and peel the chocolate bar, just like you would a carrot or a potato. You should get beautiful fine shavings or curls of chocolate, perfect for topping off and decorating your sundae.

How can I make sundaes ahead of time so they’re ready to go?

If making these sundaes a day or two ahead of time, I’d recommend adding only the Oreos, ice cream, and chocolate syrup to your sundae bowls. Then cover each one well with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and place them in the freezer. When you’re ready to serve, you can add the whipped cream and shaved chocolate.

Frozen Treats
American
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March 10, 2021
Irish Soda Bread Scones with Cinnamon
Bake up a batch of sweet and buttery Irish soda bread scones, filled with cinnamon and raisins. This easy to make recipe uses simple ingredients. It’s perfect for breakfast or brunch.

I love a good cinnamon biscuit recipe, so when I decided to take Irish soda bread and morph it into soda bread scones, I knew they would be delicious.

And they are. While I do add a few more ingredients beyond the traditional, the ingredients are what give these Irish soda scones a rise, a lift, a fluffiness, and a softness that can’t be beat.

What’s the Difference Between Scones and Irish Soda Bread?

The main difference is the shape of each…

Scones are round like biscuits, or wedges; soda bread, on the other hand, is loaf shaped and baked in a loaf pan.

Why I Love This Recipe (And You Will Too)
- This soda scone recipe is chock full of cinnamon flavor (and raisins). While the raisins *could* be optional, I wouldn’t want to make this soda scones recipe without them because they add so much more flavor and a hint of sweetness.
- Give yourself about 20 minutes to mix these up, pop them in the oven, and you’ve got a quick breakfast scone the whole family will love.
- They’re soft, tender, and fluffy, not to mention buttery with just a hint of sweetness.
- They’re perfect for breakfast and brunch, on St. Patrick’s Day (think St. Patrick’s Day scones), or any day of the year.
Ingredients and Substitution Notes:

The right ingredients are the secret to making a good Irish soda bread scones recipe.
- Baking Powder and Baking Soda: Why use both? Because I want just the right amount of lift (and fluffiness) in my scones. Baking soda neutralizes the acid, and baking powder steps in to give the extra rise these scones need. The Kitchn has a wonderful explanation for why use baking soda and baking powder.
- Unsalted Butter: I use unsalted butter because I want a little more control over how salty my scones are.
- Egg: The egg helps to bind the ingredients together. It helps make them more fluffy and gives a richer flavor to the scones.
- Buttermilk: I use this buttermilk mix to make buttermilk. But if you don’t have either buttermilk or a mix, you can make your own with about 1 tablespoon of vinegar for every cup of milk you use. Just let the mixture sit for a few minutes before adding to your scone mixture.
- Raisins: While raisins are totally optional, I highly recommend them. They give a flavor and a hint of sweetness that can’t be beat.
Keep in mind, all of the ingredients and ingredient amounts you’ll need are in the printable recipe card below.

How to Make Irish Soda Bread Scones

Before you get started mixing up your batter, be sure to pre-heat your oven to 400° F, and either grease a baking sheet, or add parchment paper to it. I prefer to use parchment paper because the scones just slide right off of it after baking.

Mix up the Scone Dough…
1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients, including the flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
2. Using a pastry blender (or table knife), cut the cold, sliced butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture has fine crumbles.
3. In a separate measuring cup or bowl, beat the egg and buttermilk together.
4. Mix the egg mixture into the dry ingredients.
5. Then fold the raisins into your batter.
6. Drop the dough, by the spoonful, onto your parchment paper covered baking sheet, and bake.
1. Bake your scones at 400° F for about 30-40 minutes, or ’til your scones turn a nice golden brown.
Serve the scones warm with butter, apple butter, etc.

FAQ:

Why put milk in scones? Can I make them dairy-free?
Buttermilk gives scones a lighter, fluffier texture. While I have not attempted to make these dairy-free, you could try making them with almond milk, rice milk, or coconut milk. You can also substitute a non-dairy butter, though keep in mind this will likely change the texture and density of the finished scone.

Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes, you can; and I have made them gluten-free using a good gluten-free all-purpose flour (my favorite is Authentic Foods Classical Blend). You may need to add a little xanthan gum (per the package), as well, for extra leavening. Of course, be sure to check all ingredient labels to make sure everything is truly gluten-free.

How do I get my scones to rise and be fluffy?
Ingredients play a huge role in rise, as we read above. Baking powder, baking soda, egg, and even the buttermilk all work together to give scones both a rise and a fluffiness. Keep in mind that not adding enough buttermilk and over mixing can cause scones to be harder. Also, placing them so they’re slightly touching on the baking sheet can help with lift while baking; while I don’t do this, it is worth a try.

How should scones be stored?
Make sure they’ve cooled completely; then store them in a covered airtight container.

Can I freeze scones?
You can freeze scones for up to 3 months. While you can freeze them unbaked or baked, it’s better to freeze them unbaked. To do so, place all your scones on a parchment paper covered baking sheet; place the baking sheet in the freezer ’til the scones are good and frozen. Then remove them from the freezer, place the unbaked scones in an airtight container or freezer bag, and put them back in the freezer ’til you’re ready to bake them.

How to Serve Soda Bread Scones

I prefer mine with a little pat of butter. I also sometimes like to sprinkle a little cinnamon sugar on the melted butter, or add a dollop of homemade apple butter.

Either way, they are so delicious!

More Quick Bread Recipes

If you love this soda scones recipe as much as I do, you’ll love these recipes too…
- If you do still want that taste of cinnamon without the raisins, you may enjoy these Bisquick scones with cinnamon in the dough and a crisp cinnamon sugar topping.
- Biscuit cinnamon rolls are my favorite thing to make when I’m craving cinnamon rolls but don’t want to go to all the work and waiting.
- Bisquick cinnamon muffins are quick, easy, and simple to make. Think soft, tender muffins dipped in a cinnamon sugar topping.
If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!
Irish Soda Bread Scones

Bake up a batch of sweet and buttery Irish soda bread scones. Easy to make recipe, simple ingredients, perfect for breakfast or brunch.
Handled Mixing Bowls
Whisk
Pastry Blender
Baking Sheet
Parchment Paper
4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter (cold)
1 large egg
2 cups buttermilk*
1 cup raisins
Pre-heat your oven to 400° F, and either grease a baking sheet or add parchment paper to it.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients, including the flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Using a pastry blender (or table knife), cut the cold, sliced butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture has fine crumbles.
In a separate measuring cup or bowl, beat the egg and buttermilk together..
Mix the egg mixture into the dry ingredients.
Then fold the raisins into your batter.
Drop the dough, by the spoonful, onto your parchment paper covered baking sheet, and bake at 400° F for about 30-40 minutes, or 'til your scones turn a nice golden brown.
Serve the scones warm with butter, apple butter, etc.
*I use this buttermilk mix to make buttermilk. But if you don’t have either buttermilk or a mix, you can make your own with about 1 tablespoon of vinegar for every cup of milk you use. Just let the mixture sit for a few minutes before adding to your scone mixture.

Can I make them gluten-free?

Yes, you can; and I have made them gluten-free using a good gluten-free all-purpose flour (my favorite is Authentic Foods Classical Blend). You may need to add a little xanthan gum (per the package), as well, for extra leavening. Of course, be sure to check all ingredient labels to make sure everything is truly gluten-free.

How should Irish soda bread scones be stored?

Make sure they’ve cooled completely; then store them in a covered airtight container.

Can I freeze these scones?

You can freeze scones for up to 3 months. While you can freeze them unbaked or baked, it’s better to freeze them unbaked. To do so, place all your scones on a parchment paper covered baking sheet; place the baking sheet in the freezer ’til the scones are good and frozen. Then remove them from the freezer, place the unbaked scones in an airtight container or freezer bag, and put them back in the freezer ’til you’re ready to bake them.

Breads & Muffins
Irish
how to make Irish soda scones, Irish soda bread cinnamon scones, Irish soda bread scones, Irish soda scones, soda bread scones, soda scones recipe, St. Patrick’s Day recipes
February 16, 2021
Make a Graham Cracker Leprechaun House for St. Patrick’s Day
With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, I’ve got a fun project kids will adore. It’s pretty much a spinoff of a favorite Christmas classic, but geared toward St. Patrick’s Day and the luck of the Irish. Instead of gingerbread, though, it’s a graham cracker leprechaun house.

I remember when I was a little girl, and my mom and I watched Disney’s classic, Darby O’Gill and the Little People. Remember that movie? Leprechauns and all the legend surrounding them just fascinated me as a kid. This would be the perfect movie to watch as you create your very own leprechaun house.

Before you get started making your own graham cracker leprechaun house, you’ll need a few supplies.

Supplies You’ll Need for a Graham Cracker Leprechaun House
- Cake board or small white cardboard squares for house to rest on
- Scissors
- Box of graham crackers
- Decorating Icing – I used Wilton Green Decorating Icing.
- Spice Drops or gum drop candies
- Skittles
- M&M’s
- Mini crackers
- Small green gummy candies
- Rainbow sprinkles and decorating candies
How to Construct Your Own Graham Cracker Leprechaun House

Your first step is to prep your cake board. You can cut it into smaller squares or use a smaller piece of cardboard wrapped in white freezer paper.

Next assemble your leprechaun house using graham crackers and Decorating Icing. Now here’s where it was a bit tricky for me in the beginning. Everything I’d read said to use Royal Icing, but I’m just going to be real here… I tried that, and it was horrible. It was horrible! A disaster of epic proportions. I’d bought a box kit, and I’m not sure what happened with it, but it just wasn’t for me. I think it had more to do with me than the icing; I just didn’t have the patience for it. But I was lucky that I actually had backup in the form of Wilton Decorating Icing. It worked great! And there was no mixing or hassle with it.

To construct your graham cracker house, I recommend following this wonderful tutorial from Happiness is Homemade. Just be sure you have plenty of graham crackers on hand.

Decorate Your Graham Cracker Leprechaun House

Once your house is constructed and has had a chance to meld together enough that it’s not going anywhere, it’s time for the fun part… Decorating! This is where all your candies and sprinkles come in.

There really is no set way to decorate a leprechaun house. But I do recommend LOADS of rainbow colors, in the form of spice drops (or gum drop candies), M&M’s, Skittles, sprinkles, and more. Use your Decorating Icing to attach everything to your house.

You can use mini crackers as windows. I found small green apple gummies that I actually cut with scissors to hopefully look more like 4-leaf clovers.

You can create a door with icing and sprinkles. Skittles make a wonderful rainbow path through clouds of mini marshmallows. Just be creative and have fun with it! The decorating is especially fun for kids, though they may eat more than they decorate, fair warning.

Happy decorating your very own graham cracker leprechaun house this St. Patrick’s Day!

Can’t make it just yet? Pin it for later!
March 3, 2017
St. Patrick’s Day Leprechaun Boxes for Kids
Less than a month ’til St. Patrick’s Day! A few years back, the boys and I made what we like to call Leprechaun Boxes.

Originally, we wanted to create a special box for the “leprechauns” (Mom & Dad) to leave fun treats and things on the eve of St. Patrick’s Day. I’d heard of the idea a few years ago, and that year, we decided to have some fun with it.

It turned out to be a really fun craft project, and it inspired my boys to get creative. Hopefully, it will inspire you and your kids to dig out the craft supplies and get crafting too!

Supplies You’ll Need to Make Your Own Leprechaun Boxes

First things first, you’ll need to gather a few supplies…
- Some sort of box – We used paper mache mailboxes we found at Hobby Lobby.
- Craft paint
- Sponge paint brushes
- St. Patrick’s Day stickers
- Shamrock garland
- St. Patrick’s Day ribbon
- Glitter glue
- Glitter spray
- Any other type of crafty decor your heart desires
Instructions for How to Make Leprechaun Boxes
1. Your first step is to paint your box/es.
1. Add decorative touches, like ribbon around the mailbox flag.
1. Stickers are one of the best ways to decorate your box. You can put them anywhere and everywhere; there are no rules. You can even put them inside.
1. Get creative with different pieces of decor. I’d found these cute pot of gold decorations, so we cut the stem off and hot glued the pot into a small hole poked in the top of his box. Jacob actually made his pot of gold into the handle for the mailbox lid. It turned out so cute.
1. Using the glitter glue, your child can also add their name to the box.
1. When all is said and done with decorating, you can finish off the boxes with a bit of glitter spray to make them shine.
1. You can trim with garland, as well.
I think it’s safe to say that Jaden had the most fun with the green and gold glitter glue, adding it in little spots all over his mailbox.

Now you’re ready for the leprechauns, though Jaden very matter-of-factly told me he knows Daddy and I are the leprechauns. Hmmm… Smart kid. Hey, it’s just a fun thing we do to celebrate St. Patty’s Day.

Do you have any special St. Patrick’s Day traditions? Have you made any St. Patty’s Day crafts or treats lately?
St. Patrick’s Day Leprechaun Boxes for Kids

Start a fun St. Patrick’s Day tradition, and decorate Leprechaun Boxes with your kids. Fun St. Patty's Day craft kids will absolutely love!
pair of scissors
2 paper mache mailboxes
1 bottle craft paint (green)
2 sponge paint brushes
2-3 sheets St. Patrick's Day stickers
1 shamrock garland
1 St. Patrick's Day ribbon
2 bottles glitter glue (green and gold)
1 can glitter spray (any color)
First paint your box/es.
Add decorative touches, like ribbon around the mailbox flag.
Stickers are one of the best ways to decorate your box. You can put them anywhere and everywhere; there are no rules. You can even put them inside.
Get creative with different pieces of decor. I'd found these cute pot of gold decorations, so we cut the stem off and hot glued the pot into a small hole poked in the top of his box. Jacob actually made his pot of gold into the handle for the mailbox lid. It turned out so cute.
Using the glitter glue, your child can also add their name to the box.
When all is said and done with decorating, you can finish off the boxes with a bit of glitter spray to make them shine.
You can trim with garland, as well.
And that's it. Now you're ready for the leprechauns!
leprechaun boxes, st. patrick’s day leprechaun boxes
February 28, 2017
Lime Vanilla Poke Cake Cupcakes Recipe
Learn how to make Lime Vanilla Poke Cake Cupcakes, kinda like Jello cake, with buttercream frosting. These scrumptious cupcakes bring just a hint of green for a festive St Patrick’s Day or any day really.

My mom used to make poke cake, or Jello cake as we called it, every spring and summer. It seemed to be one of her favorite things to make, and all of us loved when she made it, especially when she made lemon poke cake.

She’d pour cherry or strawberry Jello over the cake and top it off with whipped topping. Then she’d put it in the fridge and let it get ice cold. It was such a refreshing dessert and so scrumptious!

With her cake in mind, I decided to kinda take a different twist and make poke cake cupcakes. I think these may become a regular favorite, because even my non sweets loving husband loved these.

These cupcakes could be made any time of year with any flavor of Jello… though I did purposely use lime, so we could have green for St. Patrick’s Day. They’re super easy to make.

Looking for more cupcake recipes? You may also enjoy these moist and fluffy chocolate cupcakes.

I JUST WANT THE RECIPE! TAKE ME TO THE RECIPE FOR LIME VANILLA POKE CAKE CUPCAKES!

If you’d rather skip all of my cooking tips, important cooking info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the scrumptious lime vanilla poke cake cupcakes recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

TIPS FOR HOW TO MAKE LIME VANILLA CUPCAKES

Yes, you can make these homemade, but using a cake mix just saves time; it’s quick and easy.

Once your cupcakes have baked, remove from the oven and let them sit for 10-15 minutes.

Then poke the middle of each cupcake with a fork just a few times. Add 3-4 small spoons of Jello over the middle of each cupcake, being careful not to let it run down the sides; it actually will soak into the cupcake if you’ve used a fork to poke holes in it.

It will give each cupcake a surprise green color in the middle, perfect for St. Patty’s Day.

The lime combined with the vanilla is pretty yummy too.

Finally, when the cupcakes have completely cooled, add the best buttercream frosting for a scrumptiously creamy dessert.

Once they’re frosted, chill them in the fridge.

When you’re ready for dessert, serve and enjoy!

LIME VANILLA POKE CAKE CUPCAKES RECIPE

If you love this lime vanilla poke cake cupcakes recipe as much as I do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest!

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Lime Vanilla Poke Cake Cupcakes

Learn how to make Lime Vanilla Poke Cake Cupcakes, kinda like Jello cake, with buttercream frosting. These scrumptious cupcakes bring just a hint of green for a festive St Patrick’s Day or any day really.
Poke Cake Cupcakes:
1 French Vanilla cake mix
1 cup water (boiling)
3 ounces Lime Jello
1/2 cup water (cold)
3 cups buttercream frosting
Mix cake mix and bake according to package directions.
When fully baked, remove from oven and let cool 15-20 minutes.
Meanwhile, mix Jello with boiling water; then add cold water, mixing well.
Poke top middle of each cupcake with fork, 4-5 times.
Slowly pour 3-4 spoons of Jello mixture over middle of each cupcake, careful to not let it run over the sides.
Allow cupcakes to finish cooling.
Mix all ingredients for buttercream frosting.
Top each cupcake with frosting.
Chill cupcakes.
Serve and enjoy!
Cakes & Cupcakes
American
Jello cake, lime vanilla cupcakes, poke cake cupcakes
March 10, 2015