Irish Soda Bread - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 c. unsifted all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp. sugar (or more)
1 Tbsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 c. seedless raisins
1 to 1 1/4 c. buttermilk
2 Tbsp. soft butter or margarine

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375\u00b0.
Combine dry ingredients and raisins in mixing bowl.
Make well in center after mixing well.
Add buttermilk; stir until lightly blended.
Use only enough buttermilk to make stiff dough.
Turn onto lightly floured board.
Knead 5 times.
Form into ball and place on lightly greased cookie sheet. Pat to 8-inch circle, approximately 1 1/2 inches thick.
With floured knife, make large cross on top to prevent cracking.
Spread top of loaf with softened butter.
Bake at 375\u00b0 for 40 to 50 minutes or until golden and loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
Serve hot with butter.