Irish Soda Bread - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 c. flour
3 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. baking soda
6 Tbsp. butter or margarine
1 1/2 c. dark seedless raisins
1 Tbsp. caraway seed (optional)
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 1/2 c. buttermilk

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350\u00b0.
Grease well a 2-quart casserole. Combine dry ingredients.
Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Stir in raisins and caraway (if used).
Add buttermilk and all but one tablespoon of the eggs.
Mix until flour is moistened (dough will be sticky).
Turn out on floured surface.
Rub flour on hands and knead to mix thoroughly (about 10 strokes).
Shape into a ball and place in casserole.
With sharp knife, cut a 4-inch cross, 1/4 inch deep.
Brush with egg.
Bake 1 hour and 20 minutes, until center is done. Cool 10 minutes. Remove; cool completely.