Irish Soda Bread

Irish soda bread is this amazingly easy biscuit-like loaf. I got this recipe from allrecipes.com, but adjusted it a little bit. The inside is delicious and soft, the outside nice and crunchy. It's great with butter and a cup of coffee. I think next time, I'll try making them into actual biscuits instead of one big loaf. Lasted for several days, so don't worry about making too much.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons white sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup and 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 egg
• 1-1/2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons buttermilk

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a large baking sheet.
• In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and margarine.
• Stir in 1 cup of buttermilk and egg.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead slightly. Form dough into a round and place on prepared baking sheet.
• In a small bowl, combine melted butter with 1/4 cup buttermilk; brush loaf with this mixture. Use a sharp knife to cut an 'X' into the top of the loaf.
• Bake in preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes. Brush the loaf with the butter mixture again after 20 minutes while it bakes.