Irish Soda Bread

IRISH SODA BREAD

•  4 c. Flour
• 1 c. Raisins 
• 1 t. Baking soda 
• 1 T. Caraway seeds 
• 1 t. Salt
• 1 1/3 c. Buttermilk, more or less 
• 1 c. Sugar 
• 3/4 c. Butter 

 Sift flour, soda, salt & sugar together. With pastry blender cut in butter till coarse like cornmeal. Stir in raisins & caraway seeds. (I usually put the raisins in about a cup or so of water and pop them in the microwave for a minute to plump up the raisins from their little dry state so they won't be all hard and burnt when they are baked in the bread). Add milk gradually (may need a little more depending on the humidity that day). Mix till blended. Knead on floured board for around 2 minutes. Divide dough into 2 pieces. Round each 1/2 of dough & flatten a little. Place kitty corner on cookie sheet. Cut diagonal lines in top of each rounded loaf. Bake about 1 hr. at 350 degrees. Enjoy!!!