Irish Soda Bread With Currants

INGREDIENTS

4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 Tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 stick butter or margarine
2/3 cup dried currants, plumped
1/2 cup white vinegar
1 cup milk
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F

 

DIRECTIONS

Mix flour, sugar, baking soda and salt in a bowl. Cut the butter into dry ingredients with a pastry blender until you get coarse lumps. Lightly mix in plumped currants. (To plump currants: cover with warm water and let sit for 30 minutes.) Mix vinegar and milk together. Add 1/2 of liquid to dry ingredients and blend gently. Add remaining liquid and stir until completely blended. Turn dough onto floured board and knead for 10 minutes. Shape into round loaf, cut cross into the top and place onto greased baking sheet. Bake at 375 for 35-40 minutes.