Irish Soda Bread

4 – 4½ c. Flour
½-1 tsp. Salt
3 tsp. Baking Powder
1 tsp. Soda
¼ c. Sugar (optional)
2 shakes Cinnamon, Ginger & Nutmeg each
¼ c. Butter or Margarine
1 Egg
1¾ c. Buttermilk

Optional:
2 c. Currents, Raisins, &/or Cranberries

In a large bowl, stir together flour, salt, baking powder, soda, and sugar until thoroughly blended. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or knife until crumbly. In a separate bowl, beat egg slightly and mix with buttermilk; stir into dry ingredients until blended. Add optional items. Turn out on a floured board and knead until smooth (2 – 3 min). Divide dough in half and shape each into a smooth, round loaf; place each loaf into a greased pie pan. Press down until dough nearly fills the pan. With a floured knife, cut a cross in the top of the loaves, about ½ inch deep. Mix ¼ c. buttermilk with a capful of Irish whiskey and bathe the top of each loaf and sprinkle with sugar. Bake in a 375o oven for 35 – 40 min., or until nicely browned.
Yields 2 loaves.

~Marta