Irish Soda Bread - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 c. sugar
1/8 tsp. cardamon
1/4 c. margarine
1 egg
1 3/4 c. buttermilk
1 c. raisins (optional) *

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375\u00b0.
Grease an 8-inch cake or pie pan. Combine in a large bowl, flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, sugar and cardamon.
Add margarine and cut in with a pastry blender or knife 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; shape into a round loaf and place in pans. Press down until dough fills pans. With a sharp knife, cut crosses on tops of loaves about 1/2-inch deep.
Cut the crosses in the middle of loaves.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes.