Irish Soda Bread with Golden Raisins

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Sift flour, salt, and soda into a mixing bowl. Add sugar. Rub in the butter. Add cleaned fruit (I soak mine in warm water for a few minutes, then drain). Mix quickly and lightly with the beaten egg. Add enough buttermilk to make a soft dough. Turn the mixture onto a floured board, dredge the dough with flour and knead it lightly. When smooth underneath, turn upside down and roll out lightly to make a round.

Cut a deep cross in the middle. Put on a floured baking sheet (I used a pizza stone) and bake for approximately 45 minutes, until risen, nicely browned, and cooked through the center. It should sound hollow when the base is tapped. Cool on a wire rack—if you can wait! Slice and serve with cold butter and jam. I did see a recipe on here for some lemon curd somewhere. That would be fantastic on this bread.