100 YEAR OLD IRISH SODA BREAD

100 YEAR OLD IRISH SODA BREAD 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Place an 8-inch cast iron skillet in the oven as it preheats 2. In a large bowl, mix 1 C sugar + 4 C all-purpose flour + 1 tbsp baking powder + ¾  tsp baking soda. Using your hands or a wooden spoon, mix in 1 stick cold unsalted butter, cut up until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Mix in 1 C dark raisins + 1 tbsp caraway seeds 3. In a small bowl whisk 2 large eggs then whisk in 1 ½  C buttermilk. Add all but 1 tsp egg mixture to the large bowl and mix to combine. Dough will be sticky, more like a batter 4. Take skillet out of the oven and melt 1 tbsp unsalted butter in the hot pan. Add dough and brush the remaining egg mixture on top. Cut an “X” into the top (for tradition and even baking) Bake 45 min-1 hour until a tester comes out clean 5. Remove from oven, let rest 10 min, then cut and serve with rich Irish butter and flaky salt. Makes 1 generous loaf.