IRISH SODA BREAD

YIELD: 1 loaf

TOTAL TIME: 90 min

Ingredients

• 4 cups all purpose flour, a little extra for raisins
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 4 tablespoons, cold, cubed, butter
• 1 3/4 cup cold buttermilk
• 1 egg, beaten
• 3/4 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Add the butter and mix with an electric mixer with a paddle attachment on low speed until the butter is mixed into the flour like pie dough.

Mix the buttermilk and egg in a cup. On low, slowly add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture. Combine the raisins with 1 tablespoon of flour and mix into the dough.

Turn out dough onto a well-floured surface and knead it a few times into a loaf. Place the loaf on the prepared sheet pan and cut an X into the top.

Bake for 55 to 65 minutes. When you tap the loaf, it will have a hollow sound.

Serve warm or at room temperature.