Irish Soda Bread

Happy St Patrick's Day. This bread is so much fun to make, and it's simple.

4 Cups flour
2 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
4 Tbsp. butter
1 cup raisins
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 cups buttermilk

MAKES 1 Loaf

Preheat oven to 375. Sift together flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda into a large mixing bowl.
Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the flour mixture untl it resembles a coarse meal, then stir in raisins.
Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. add beaten egg and buttermilk to well and mix in this a wooden spoon until dough is too stiff to stir. Dust hands with a little flour, then gently knead dough inthe just long enough to form a rough ball. Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and shape into a round loaf.

 Transfer dough to a large, lightly greased cast-iron skillet or a baking sheet. Using a serrated knife, score the top of the dough about 1/2 " deep in an X shape. Transfer to oven and bake until bread is golden and bottom sounds hollow when tapped whith a knife, about 25-30 minutes. Transfer bread to a rack to let cool .

Serve bread warm, at room temperature, or sliced and toasted.

Enjoy.