Brett's Irish Soda Bread

You know I love hearing from you guys - it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  Well, a bunch of you either commented or emailed regarding the Irish Soda Bread that my husband made for our St. Patrick's Day celebration.  I thought, surely I posted the recipe last year, but apparently I didn't.  The fact that I had yet to post this is surprising because it is such a big part of our St. Patrick's Day tradition. 

Sorry for being such a tease - I posted pictures of something yummy and didn't give you the recipe?  How rude of me.  So here's the recipe you've been waiting for............and believe me, it's the best soda bread I've ever had and I'm not just saying that because it's my hubby's family recipe! 

Brett's Irish Soda Bread

(1 loaf)

Ingredients:

2 cups flour

3 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons butter, softened

1 cup buttermilk

1 handful currents or raisins 

1 tablespoon of melted butter (for brushing)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Blend dry ingredients.  Cut in butter.  Add buttermilk.  Add currents or raisins.  Turn out on floured board and kneed for 1 minute.  Make dough into ball.  Press a floured knife into a cross shape on top of dough (don't cut the dough, just make an indention). 

Bake for 40 minutes.  Brush with melted butter when you remove the bread from the oven.

Serve bread with butter, preserves, or plain.