Irish Soda Bread from County Cork

Ingredients

• 3 cups self-rising flour
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 cups raisins
• 1 egg
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon milk

Directions

Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round baking dish.

In a large bowl, cut together the self-rising flour, sugar, and butter with a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the raisins. In a separate bowl, whisk together egg with 1 cup of milk. Lightly mix the milk mixture into the flour mixture until it holds together. Place dough in prepared baking dish, and brush top with 1 tablespoon of milk for a nice golden brown crust.

Place the bread into the preheated oven. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and bake for 1 hour. Let cool before serving.