Irish Soda Bread

Alyssa felt like baking today, and this is what she chose to make. This is a great version of soda bread! We all loved the flavor and texture. Alyssa is now our designated Irish Soda Bread baker!

2 cups (8 1/2 ounces) flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons butter
½ cup raisins
1 cup (8 ounces) buttermilk

In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt (or combine these ingredients in a food processor and pulse a few times to "sift"). Cut in butter until mixture looks like fine crumbs (Alyssa used the food processor for this step—pulsing just a few times until the mixture looked like fine crumbs). If you used a food processor, transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Add raisins. Add buttermilk. Mix with a fork (or use a dough whisk) until moistened.

Knead gently about 1 minute. Shape into a ball. Place dough on a greased cookie sheet or pie plate (or use a Silpat-lined baking sheet) and flatten into about a 7-inch circle (dough should be about 1 ½ inches thick). Bake at 375°F for 20 to 35 minutes or until top is golden brown. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. (Optional: you can brush the top of the loaf with 1 tablespoon melted butter and dust with flour if desired.)

Makes 1 delicious loaf.