Irish Soda Bread - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 c. sifted flour
1/4 c. sugar
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. caraway seed
1 egg
1/4 c. butter
1 tsp. baking soda
1 1/3 c. buttermilk
2 c. raisins or currants

Preparation

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Grease sheet cake or casserole pan. In a large bowl, sift together flour sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir in caraway seeds. Cut in butter until coarse cornmeal stage. Stir in raisins. Place milk, egg and baking soda in small bowl; beat together until well blended. Turn onto floured board; knead 3 minutes until smooth. Shape into ball. Place on baking sheet or casserole. cut an X 1/2 inch deep into the top. Beat egg white and water together; brush on top of dough (optional). Bake 60-65 minutes. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan and cool on rack completely. Enjoy with your favorite soup, stew or chowder.