Easy Irish Soda Bread
4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 1/2 cups buttermilk plus extra for top of bread
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup raisins
1 tbsp sugar
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt in a large mixing bowl.
Stir in the buttermilk and 3 tablespoons of the melted butter, using a fork, then stir in the raisins. Once combined, the dough should come together. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Knead gently for just a few turns until the dough can be shaped into a 6-inch round (do not over-knead).
Place the shaped dough into a cast-iron skillet or sheet tray.
Cut an "x" into the top of the round loaf, using a knife.
Using a pastry brush, give the loaf a light coating of buttermilk.
Give the loaf a light sprinkling of sugar.
Bake until the center has cooked through (testing with a skewer), about 40 minutes.
Do not overcook the bread or it will be very hard and tough. Slather with the remaining tablespoon melted butter. If saving for another day, allow to cool for 10 minutes and place in a Ziploc bag and close shut. This will ensure it stays soft for the next day. Enjoy!
Recipe shared from: www.cookingchanneltv.com