Irish Soda Bread

4 cups unsifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ cup sugar (optional)
¼ teaspoon cardamom seeds

¼ cup butter
1 egg
1 ¾ cups buttermilk

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Combine in a large bowl the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and sugar and spices if used. Add butter and cut it in with a pastry blender or two knives until crumbly. Beat egg slightly and mix with buttermilk; add to dry ingredients and stir until blended. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes.

Divide dough in half and shape each into a round loaf. Place each loaf in an 8-inch cake or pie pan and press down until dough fills pans. With a sharp knife, cut crosses on tops of loaves about ½ inch deep in the middle. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Makes 2 loaves.

Currant or Raisin Soda Bread (A Family Favorite!)

Follow basic recipe for Irish Soda Bread, including the sugar; omit the cardamom or coriander. Add 2 cups raisins or currants to the flour mixture with 1 ¼ teaspoon caraway seeds. Blend with egg and buttermilk and proceed as directed in basic recipe.