This is the recipe I've used for years. I have had people from Ireland
comment favorably on its authenticity.


* Exported from MasterCook *

Irish Soda Bread

Recipe By :Janet Wilder
Serving Size : 8 Preparation Time :1:00
Categories : Breads

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
5 cups unbleached flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
4 tbs sugar
4 tbs soft butter
1 3/4 cups buttermilk
1 egg
1 cup currants

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Sprinkle a little flour over a baking sheet.

Put all the dry ingredients into a mixing bowl and work in the butter
with your fingertips until the mixture is crumbly and even in texture.

Make a well in the center and pour in the buttermilk. Add egg and beat
well with a wooden spoon to distribute the egg into the buttermilk.
Continue to mix with the spoon until all the flour is wet, then knead
with your hand just to complete the mixing. Add the currants and mix
them in.

Cut the dough in half and shape each half into a ball. Put them on the
floured baking sheet at a distance from each other. With a knife dipped
in flour after each cut, make a deep cross across each loaf, almost -
but not quite - to the bottom.

Bake for about 40 minutes, until golden brown. Cool on wire racks and
do not cut until thoroughly cold.






--
Janet Wilder
Way-the-heck-south Texas
Spelling doesn't count. Cooking does.