Irish Soda Bread

Irish Soda Bread

3 c. unbleached white flour

1 1/2 sticks cold butter

2 t. baking powder

2 c. raisins (dark or golden)

1 t. baking soda

1 beaten egg

1/2 t. salt

1/2 c. honey or sugar

1/2 c. buttermilk (I use "soured" milk)

Preheat oven to 350*. Butter or spray two 8" cake pans.

Stir together flour, baking powder, soda & salt in large mixing bowl.

Cut-in butter with a pastry blender. Add raisins & toss to evenly distribute and coat raisins with flour.

In another bowl, beat egg & honey (if using sugar, add to above dry ingredients) & blend. Beat in buttermilk (if using soured milk, put 1 T. vinegar into a 1 cup measuring cup and add milk to 1 cup line. Let sit to sour a few minutes and you'll notice a curdling appearance - this is a great substitute for buttermilk in recipes).

Gradually pour the liquids into the flour mixture, tossing with a fork so the mixture gets evenly moistened. Continue tossing until dough forms a ball, it will be rough and lumpy.

Knead dough several times & shape into 2 rounds with floured hands; place into pans. You can make shallow X cuts on top. Bake 45 min. to 1 hr. until done; do not under bake. Cut out a piece to test if necessary. Cut into wedges and serve warm with butter. Serve 8-10