Mary Burke's Irish Soda Bread

By Tingrin3

Mary Burke's Irish soda bread
March 15, 2006
ShareE-mailPrintMakes 2 large loaves

This fine-crumbed bread has a beautifully crunchy crust and just a hint of sweetness.

Ingredients

• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature 4 cups flour 1 cup sugar, plus 1 tablespoon for sprinkling 4 teaspoons baking powder 3/4 teaspoon baking soda Pinch of salt 1 egg 1 1/2 cups buttermilk 1 cup raisins
• Dish

Preparation

Step 1

1. Set the oven at 350 degrees. Butter and flour two 9-by-5-inch loaf pans.

2. In a large bowl, cream the butter with a pastry blender or fork. Add the flour, 1 cup of sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mixwell with the blender or fork.

3. In another bowl, stir together the egg and buttermilk.

4. Make a well in the flour-butter mixture. Pour in the egg mixture. Mix gently but thoroughly. Stir in raisins.

5. Transfer the dough to the pans, dividing it evenly. Sprinkle the tops with the remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar.

6. Bake for 40 minutes or until the tops are golden and a skewer inserted into the center of the loaves comes out clean.

7. Cool the loaves in the pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Turn out of the pans and leave to cool completely.