Irish Soda Bread #4

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

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.

• Yields: 1 round loaf
• Preparation Time: about 1 hour