Irish Soda Bread



bread:
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 cup raisins, dried cranberries or dried currants (optional)
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1 egg
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

coating:
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
2 Tbsp buttermilk

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray lightly with cooking spray. In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt. If you are using raisins or dried fruit, add it to the dry ingredients and stir to coat. 3. Combine 2 Tbsp melted butter with 2 Tbsp buttermilk and brush entire amount onto the dough, covering the entire loaf. Bake 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool until warm or room temperature, slice and serve.

Yield: 1 loaf

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