Irish Soda Bread

By carvalhohm2

Ingredients

• 6 T. cold unsalted butter
• 1 c. sugar
• 1 t. baking soda
• 1 1/2 t. baking powder
• 1 t. salt
• 1 t. orange zest (optional)
• 1 large egg
• 1 1/3 c. cold buttermilk
• 1/2 c. dried raisins
• 1/2 c. dried cranberries
• 1 c. warm water
• 4 c. sifted all-purpose flour

Details

Adapted from youtube.com

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease and flour a 9 inch cake pan. Set aside.

Place the raisins and dried cranberries in a small bowl. Add the warm water and set aside.

Sift flour into a large bowl. Add the sugar, salt, baking soda and baking powder. Whisk together until thoroughly combined.
Add the cold unsalted butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter,cut the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs or cornmeal.

Drain water from raisins and cranberries and pat dry with paper towel. Add to the flour mixture and combine thoroughly.
In a large measuring cup or bowl using a whisk, thoroughly combine buttermilk, egg and orange zest.

Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Pour half of the buttermilk mixture into the well. Gently stir the mixture to moisten the flour. When the buttermilk is absorbed, add the other half and combine just until moist and mixed through. The dough will be very sticky. Do not over mix.

Thoroughly flour your work surface and your hands. Dump dough onto floured surface and knead just a few times to form a ball.
Place dough into prepared cake pan. Gently pat down, so it's in there evenly. Using a knife, cut two slits about an inch deep, into the top of the bread in the shape of an "X".

Bake for 50-60 minutes or until golden brown and a tester comes out clean. Remove from oven and let it rest in the pan for about 5 minutes. Remove from pan to cooling rack.