Irish Soda Bread - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for the counter
1 cup cake flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1 cup raisins (optional) or 1 cup currants (optional)

Preparation

Adjust an oven rack to the upper-middle position and preheat oven to 400\u00b0.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray generously with vegetable oil spray.
Whisk the flours, sugar, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt together in a large bowl.
Work 2 tablespoons of the butter into the dry ingredients with a fork until the texture resembles coarse crumbs.
Stir in the buttermilk (and raisins, if using) with a fork just until the dough begins to come together.
Turn out onto a lightly floured counter.
Knead just until the dough becomes cohesive and bumpy; about 30 seconds (do not knead until smooth).
Pat the dough into a 6-inch round about 2 inches thick.
Place on the prepared baking sheet.
Cut an X into the top of the loaf using a serrated knife or clean razor blade.
Bake until the loaf is golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out with just a few crumbs attached, about 40 to 45 minutes.
Remove the loaf from the oven and transfer to a wire rack.
Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and brush over the top.
Let the loaf cool for 1 hour.