Virtual Sefer Mary Ward's Irish Soda Bread

Mary Ward's Irish Soda Bread
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter 9 inch round pie plate or cast iron skillet.
4 cups flour
3 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
6 Tbsp. butter, cold and cut into pats
1 1/2 cup raisins
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
2 eggs, beaten. Reserve 2 Tbsp. for brushing on the top.
Extra flour for kneading.
Mix the first 5 ingredients together. Cut in butter with two knives or a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in raisins until they are well coated with flour and separated.
Mix buttermilk in with remaining beaten eggs. DON'T forget to reserve two Tablespoons. Stir into flour mixture until flour is moistened. Don't over mix. Dough will be sticky.
Turn dough onto well-floured surface. With floured hands knead into a ball for about 10 strokes to mix thoroughly. Shape dough into a neat ball, place in plate or skillet. ( I prefer the skillet)
In center of bread with a sharp knife cut a 4 inch cross about 1/4 inch deep. Brush with reserved beaten egg.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes.

This is best eaten hot out of the oven and slathered with butter. My family fights over the big, chunky, crusty parts.
It's also good toasted the next day. Enjoy.