This is a really great Irish soda bread -- given to me a few years ago
by an Irish friend --

Brian Brophy's Irish Soda Bread

This is the very best Irish Soda Bread. The recipe was given to me by
my friend, Brian Brophy

8-10 servings 1 loaf

4 cups unsifted flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
2 eggs
4 ounces butter, cut into 1/2 inch pieces and left in the refrigerator
un use
1/2 lb raisins (Sunmaid for baking are best) (optional)
1 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl.
Toss mixture with hands or wire wisk to make it light and airy.
Put dry mixture and butter into a food processor and pulse a few times
til butter is the size of peas Return to bowl and add raisins and/or
caraway seeds if using.
Beat eggs in a separate bowl, add buttermilk and blend well.
Pour egg mixture, a little at a time, into dry mixture.
Blend well with a spoon or spatula.
Don't overmix.
Dough should be heavy, but not too wet.
If too dry, add a little more buttermilk.
Dust hands with flour and mold dough into a round.
Place dough into a greased 9" round pan.
Dust top generously with flour.
Cut a deep cross into the dough.
This will prevent the bread from cracking, and it looks traditional.
Bake at 350 degrees for one hour, or until well browned and center is
not doughy.
Cool on rack, and serve warm w/butter and jam.