Fruited Irish Soda Bread Recipe

How to make it

---

• In a large bowl combine flour, salt, baking powder and sugar.
• Cut in cold butter or margarine with pastry blender or rub in with fingers to coarse peas size crumbs.
• Combine buttermilk, baking soda and egg.
• Stir into flour mixture with large fork to moisten ( as one would do for muffins ).
• Turn out onto floured surface and knead in some extra flour until a smooth ball..
• With a sharp knife cut into two equal parts.
• Grease and flour two 8 inch round cake pans.
• Place each dough half into the pan and pat and shape into a smooth ball.
• Cut or slash top decoratively.
• Brush tops with an egg wash ( 1 egg with a tsp of water ).
• Bake in a hot oven 375F about 40 minutes or tested done and golden.
• Cool on racks briefly and carefully remove to cool completely
• May be frozen.
• Cut into wedges ( as for scones ) or into slices.
• Serve with plenty of butter and jam if desired.
• Note: One may use color fruit combinations: raisins, cherries and apricots.
• Also one may prepare one large loaf by placing dough in a well greased and floured 1 1/2 qt casserole dish and bake 50 to 60 minutes or tested done.