Irish Soda Bread

Makes 16 reasonably sized slices

Ingredients

4 1/2 cups of flour
1 1/4 cup sugar
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 1/2 cups raisins (or chocolate)
2 1/2 cups buttermilk
1 large egg
Turbinado or Sanding Sugar for topping

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Prepare a 12 inch cast iron or ovenproof skillet with 2-inch or higher sides. Cut parchment paper line both the bottom and the sides of your pan.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together first five ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
4. Stir in butter and raisins (or chocolate).
5. Add buttermilk and egg and stir until well incorporated.
6. Pour mixture into skillet and cook for 1 hour or until toothpick insert comes out dry.
7. Optional, at 20 minutes, remove from oven and cut a cross into the top
8. Optional, at 50 minutes, remove from oven, brush with canola oil or egg wash and add Turbinado or Sanding Sugar to top.
9. After bread is cooked, remove from oven and let stand for 10 minutes in pan then remove from pan and let cool.

Adapted from The BEST Irish Soda Bread. This site also tells you how to make it in 2 pans.