Irish Soda Bread - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 c. unsifted regular all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 c. sugar (optional)
1/8 tsp. cardamon or coriander (optional)
1/4 c. butter or margarine
1 egg
1 3/4 c. buttermilk

Preparation

In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, sugar and spices (if used). Add butter or margarine and cut in with a pastry blender or two knives until crumbly. Beat egg slightly and mix with buttermilk; add to dry ingredients and stir until blended.
Turn out on a floured board and knead until smooth (2 to 3 minutes).
Divide dough in half and shape each into a round loaf; place each loaf in an 8-inch cake or pie pan.
Press down until dough fills pans.
With a sharp knife, cut crosses on top of loaves about 1/2-inch deep in the middle.
Bake in a moderately hot oven at 375\u00b0 for 35 to 40 minutes.
Makes 2 loaves. The breads are delicious either warm from the oven or cold.