Irish Soda Bread

Traditional Irish soda bread with the flavors of caraway and raisins-best served fresh from the oven!

Ingredients:

4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon Spice Islands Caraway Seed
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup shortening
1-1/2 cups raisins
1 egg
1-1/2 cups buttermilk
1 egg white

Directions:

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Bake Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Cool Time: 10 minutes

Makes: 16 slices

Preheat oven to 325º F.

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, caraway seed, salt, and
baking soda in large mixing bowl. Cut in shortening until
mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Stir in raisins, egg, and buttermilk; mix until ingredients are just blended (dough will be somewhat dry).

Turn out onto well floured surface and with floured hands
knead dough 8 to 10 strokes. Shape dough into a ball; place in greased 2 quart round casserole dish. Brush dough with egg white.

Bake 1 hour and 20 minutes, or until toothpick inserted
in center comes out clean. (Cover top of bread with foil after 1 hour of baking to prevent over browning). Cool bread in casserole dish 10 minutes. Remove bread from casserole and cool completely on wire rack.

TIP: Golden currents can be substituted for the raisins.