Irish Soda Bread

 

3

tablespoons butter or margarine, softened

2 1/2

cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

2

tablespoons sugar

1

teaspoon baking soda

1

teaspoon baking powder

1/2

teaspoon salt

1/3

cup raisins, if desired

3/4

cup buttermilk

• 1 Heat oven to 375ºF. Grease cookie sheet.
• 2 Cut butter into flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt in large bowl, using pastry blender or crisscrossing 2 knives, until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir in raisins and just enough buttermilk so dough leaves side of bowl.
• 3 Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead 1 to 2 minutes or until smooth. Shape into round loaf, about 6 1/2 inches in diameter. Place on cookie sheet. Cut an X shape about 1/2 inch deep through loaf with floured knife.
• 4 Bake 35 to 45 minutes or until golden brown. Brush with butter or margarine, softened, if desired.