Soda Bread (Irish Whisky Soda)

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Title: Soda Bread (Irish Whisky Soda)
Categories: Breads, Irish
Yield: 8 servings

1 x -----------bread------------ 4 c Flour, all purpose
1 ts Salt 1 ts Baking soda
1/4 c Butter, chilled 1 c Raisins or currants
(option)
1/2 c Honey, liquid 1/4 c Irish whisky or buttermilk
1 x -----------glaze------------ 2 ts Irish whisky
2 ea Ilk

BREAD: In large bowl, combine flour, salt and baking soda. With pastry
blender or two knives, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Stir in raisins or currants (if using). In separate bowl, combine
buttermilk, honey and whisky. Add all at once to dry ingredients; stir
just until no dry spots remain. Turn dough out onto lightly floured
surface. Knead lightly 1 minute (too much handling will toughen loaves,
while too little will inhibit rising.) Divide dough in half and shape each
half into an 8 in (20 cm) round. Place in two greased 8 in (1.2 L) round
cake pans. With floured knife, cut a cross 1/2 in deep in each loaf.
GLAZE: In small bowl, combine whisky and milk. Brush loaves with glaze.
Bake in 350F (180C) oven 35 to 40 minutes or until loaves sound hollow when
tapped on bottoms. Remove from pans; let cool on wire racks. Cut into
wedges.

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