Irish Soda Bread(Award Winner For The Laoh Feis) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 c. sifted flour
1/4 c. sugar
1 tsp. salt
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 c. margarine
1 beaten egg
1 1/3 c. buttermilk
1 c. seedless raisins

Preparation

Cut shortening into flour with pastry blender or fingers until mixture has consistency of coarse corn meal.
Add, stirring quickly, the egg, buttermilk and raisins.
Turn dough onto a well floured board.
Knead dough lightly and shape into an 8-inch circle and place in greased pan.
With a sharp, lightly floured knife, cut a cross into the top of the dough.
Bake at 400\u00b0 for 40 minutes or until golden brown.