Irish Soda Bread

It is that time of year again!  Happy Saint Pattys Day!!  I am not irish in the least, but it is still fun to celebrate...mainly because of the yummy food you get to eat :)  This recipe makes one large loaf or you can split it into two!!

4 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon baking powder
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cups raisins
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
1 large egg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 large egg yol
1 tablespoon heavy cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large mixing bowl (a stand mixer is not needed for this), mix together flour, sugar, salt and baking powder.

Cut butter into mixture with a fork.  Then using your hands continue to crumble the butter into the flour until evenly distributed.  Stir in raisins.

In a seperate small bowl whisk together buttermilk, egg and baking soda.  Pour into flour mixture.  Stir to combine with a wooden spoon.  Mixture will be wet.

Form into one large dome or divde dough in half and make two small domes.

Mix together egg yolk and cream, brush onto loaves.

Bake for 45 minutes.