Irish Soda Bread

Name: Irish Soda Bread
Yield: Makes 1 large loaf
Ingredients: 4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 2 Tbs granulated sugar; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp baking soda; 1/2 tsp baking powder; 3/4 cup Zante currants; 2 tsp caraway seeds; 2 cups buttermilk; 1 large egg, lightly beaten

Makes 1 large loaf

Ingredients

4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 Tbs granulated sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 cup Zante currants
2 tsp caraway seeds
2 cups buttermilk
1 large egg, lightly beaten

Instructions

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Thoroughly mix first five ingredients in a large bowl. Stir in currants and caraway. Add buttermilk and stir, first with wooden spoon and then, when dough gets too stiff, with hands, to make a sticky dough. Turn out dough onto a well floured surface and knead lightly about 10 times with well-floured hands. Cut off a small piece of dough to save for stem. Shape remaining dough into 3 balls and place in shamrock shape on lightly greased baking sheet. Shape small piece of dough into a stem, put in place and pinch into large balls. Brush loaf with egg. With a sharp knife cut a 1/2 inch slice down center of each ball of dough. Bake 35 to 40 minutes until golden brown. Cool at least 30 minutes before serving. Makes 1 large loaf. Soda bread freezes and reheats well.