Aggie's Irish Soda Bread

3 cups Unbleached white flour
2 teaspoons Baking powder
2 cups Raisins
1 teaspoon Baking soda
1 Egg
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 cup Honey
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) cold sweet butter
1 cup Buttermilk

Makes 1 large loaf.

Preheat oven to 350F.

Sift the flour, baking powder, soda and salt into a large mixing bowl. Cut the butter into small pieces and add. Cut it into the flour with a pastryblender until the mixture is the size of peas. Add the raisins and toss to
distribute evenly, using two forks.Beat the egg in another bowl until very frothy. Beat in the honey. When it is well blended, beat in the buttermilk.Gradually pour the liquids into the flour, tossing all the while with a fork so the mixture gets evenly moistened. Continue tossing lightly with two forks until the batter comes together; it doesn't have to be completely mixed and should be very rough and lumpy.Butter a heavy skillet or casserole, 10 to 11 inches in diameter and 2 to 3 inches deep. Round is the traditional shape. Spoon batter out into the pan and push it gently to fill the pan. It can mound up somewhat in the middle. Bake at 350 F about an hour or until the middle is set. Cut out a piece to test if necessary. Cut into wedges and serve warm from the pan.

The Garden Way Bread Book From the collection of Jim Vorheis