Irish Soda Bread - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 c. unsifted all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
3 Tbsp. softened margarine
1 c. buttermilk
1 Tbsp. caraway seed (optional)
1/2 c. seedless raisins

Preparation

Lightly grease cookie sheet.
Heat oven to 375\u00b0.
Sift dry ingredients and cut in butter.
Add raisins and caraway if desired. Add buttermilk and stir with fork until moist.
Turn out onto lightly floured board.
Knead gently until smooth, about 1 minute. Shape into a ball and place on cookie sheet.
Flatten into a 7-inch round.
Press large, floured knife into center of loaf almost through to bottom.
Repeat at right angles.
Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, bread is done when loaf sounds hollow.
Cool on wire rack. Brush with 1 teaspoon melted butter.