Irish Soda Bread

Ingredients:


4 cups all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour
1 tsp salt
2 tb cold butter
2 eggs
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
2 tb granulated sugar
1 1/2 cup raisins
1 2/3 cup buttermilk
1 tb melted butter

Instructions:

In large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Cut in
cold butter with pastry blender or two knives until fine. Stir in raisins.
In bowl beat eggs, stir in buttermilk and soda. Make well in dry ingredients
and add liquids all at once, mixing lightly with fork until blended.
Turn dough on to floured surface and knead lightly for 10 seconds. Shape
dough into ball and place on buttered baking sheet. Flatten ball into 8 or
9-inch loaf.

Grease sharp knife with butter and cut 1/4-inch deep cross from edge to edge
to mark into quarters.

Brush top with melted butter; bake in preheated 375F oven 40 to 45 minutes or
until golden brown. Remove from baking sheet and cool to lukewarm.