TRY ME: simple soda bread

I've had a fear of making bread for quite some time now...but last week I was forced to become an expert on soda bread when I taught and Irish Dinner class for Sur la Table. To my surprise, this yeast-free bread was absolutely delicious and effortless.

Irish Soda Bread
INGREDIENTS
* 3 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 tablespoon baking powder
* 1/3 cup white sugar
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 egg, lightly beaten
* 2 cups buttermilk
* 1/4 cup butter, melted
* 1/2 C. raisins (optional)

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan or a 9 inch cake pan.
2. Combine flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and baking soda. Blend egg and buttermilk together, and add all at once to the flour mixture. Mix just until moistened. Stir in butter. Pour into prepared pan.
3. Bake for 65 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the bread comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Wrap in foil for several hours, or overnight, for best flavor.