Irish Soda Bread

Description

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Stir in raisins, if using. Slowly stir in buttermilk, mixing just until the dough forms a rough ball. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it just enough to shape it into an 8-inch oval, about 1 1/2 inches high. Transfer dough to a piece of parchment paper and place in a Dutch oven, cast-iron pan, or on a baking sheet. Cut an X into the dough with a sharp knife about half an inch deep. Cover the Dutch oven, if using.

2. Bake until bread is golden brown on top, about 30 to 35 minutes, removing the lid of the Dutch oven 10 minutes before baking is completed, if using a Dutch oven. Remove bread from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before cutting.