Irish Soda Bread

 

Ingredients

 

Makes  12 servings          

• 4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 1 tablespoon baking powder

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 tablespoon caraway seeds

• 1/2 cup vegetable shortening

• 1 cup raisins or currants

• 1 egg

• 1 3/4 cups buttermilk

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Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease large baking sheet; set aside.

2. Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt into large bowl. Stir in caraway seeds. Cut in shortening with pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in raisins.

3. Beat egg in medium bowl using fork. Add buttermilk; beat until well combined. Add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture; stir until mixture forms soft dough that clings together and forms a ball.

4. Turn dough out onto well-floured surface. Knead dough gently 10 to 12 times. Place dough on prepared baking sheet.

5. Pat dough into 7-inch round. Score top of dough with tip of sharp knife, making an "X" about 4 inches long and 1/4 inch deep.

6. Bake 55 to 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Immediately remove from baking sheet; cool on wire rack. * Bread is best eaten the day it is made.

Note :For a sweet crust, combine 1 tablespoon sugar and 1 tablespoon water in custard cup. Brush over hot loaf.