Irish Soda Bread

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/3 cup white sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 egg, lightly beaten

2 cups buttermilk

1/4 cup butter, melted

Optional variations listed below.  (We use Raisins)

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
Combine flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and baking soda. Blend egg and buttermilk together, and add all at once to the flour mixture. Mix just until moistened. Stir in butter. Pour into prepared pan.

Bake for 65 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the bread comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Wrap in foil for several hours, or overnight, for best flavor.

Makes 1 9x5 pan. I double the recipe and use a small round cake pan.

Variations of Irish Soda Bread
1 cup raisins,
craisins,
citron or
dried fruits
and a few tablespoons caraway seeds may be added.
You can also add a few drops of green food coloring to make it green for St. Patrick's Day.