Irish Soda Bread







2 cups flour

1 tablespoon sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup butter or margarine -- softened

3/4 cup raisins

1 1/2 teaspoons caraway seeds -- optional

1 cup buttermilk

1 egg slightly beaten with 1 tablespoon wate







Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, soda and salt into a large mixing bowl.
Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal.
Stir in raisins and caraway seeds. Add buttermilk; blend to moisten the dry
ingredients. Turn dough onto floured board; knead for several minutes until
smooth. Form dough into a round ball and place on greased baking sheet.
Flatten ball until dough is about 1-1/2" high; brush top and sides with
egg/water mixture. Cut a 1/2" deep cross in top of bread with sharp knife.
Bake at 375 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in
center comes out clean. Transfer to wire rack to cool; brush top with butter
or margarine and cover with cloth. Source: "California Raisin Marketing
Association" S(Internet Address): "http://www.calraisins.org/" Yield: "1
bread"