Irish Soda Bread With Raisins

How to make Irish Soda Bread with Raisins

To prepare a delicious Irish soda bread with raisins first heat the oven to 200°C (180° fan).

Grease a baking tray.

Sift the dry ingredients into a mixing bowl and rub in the butter until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

Make a well in the centre and pour in the buttermilk and add the raisins, mixing quickly with a broad bladed knife, until the mixture forms a soft dough.

Turn out onto a floured surface and knead lightly.

Pat or roll out the dough into a round about 4 cm thick and place on the baking tray.

Mark the top into 4 sections and bake for about 20 minutes, until just coloured and the base sounds hollow when tapped.

Cool the Irish soda bread with raisins on a wire rack covered with a clean tea towel - this keeps the crust soft.