Irish Soda Bread (Theresa McLaughlin)

By zircon50

Ingredients

• 4 Cups Flour
• 1 Cup Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1 Tablespoon Baking Powder (TS addition)
• 1 1/2 Sticks butter, cut into small 1/4" cubes
• 1 1/3 Cups Buttermilk
• 1 Cup Raisins (1/2 dark; 1/2 golden)
• 1 Tblsp. Orange zest (optional)
• 1 Egg Yolk, beaten with 1 Tblsp. water for egg wash
• 2 Tsp. Caraway Seeds (optional)

Details

Cooking time 40mins

Preparation

Step 1

NOTE: If using a food processor to mix dough, freeze butter chunks in the freezer for 15 minutes, before combining into flour.

Preheat oven at 350 degrees.

Grease and flour 2 round cake pans.

1. Mix all the dry ingredients together.

2. Cut in the butter like you would for a pie crust.

3. Add raisins, orange zest (if using), (and Caraway seeds, if using). Add buttermilk and mix well. Dough will be sticky.

4. Place dough on a floured surface, and knead with hands until well blended.

5. Form a large ball, and divide dough in half.

6. Place 1 dough half in each pie pan, and shape into a round to fit the pan. DO NOT flatten out dough disk too much.

7. Cut an "X" shape on each surface.

8. Brush each surface with egg wash.

9. Sprinkle 1/2 Tsp. sugar over each surface.

10. Bake for 35-40 mins. until golden brown.