Irish Raisin Soda Bread

Ingredients:

• 3 and 3/4 cups premium wheat flour
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons of baking soda
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt
• 4 tbsp diced butter
• 1 tbsp. caraway seeds
• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk plus 1-2 tablespoons for greasing
• 1 cup raisins

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Position the rack in the center of the oven. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
   
   In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Add the butter and cut it in with a fork to form small pieces. Add the caraway seeds, 1 1/4 cups of buttermilk, and the raisins. Mix until a dough forms that resembles biscuit dough. Knead for about a minute, or until the dough holds its shape.
2. Form the dough into a ball 18 cm in diameter and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the loaf with the remaining buttermilk, then score a cross in the top with a sharp knife.
   
   Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 hour 10 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack, then slice.