Irish Soda Bread-Sweet

This is a fun treat to serve along side a meal.  The recipe comes from Sunset Breads cookbook.  It is like eating a biscuit, only a bit sweet.  I am posting a savory version soon.

Irish Soda Bread-Sweet
3 c. flour
1/2 c. sugar
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 c. raisins (or dried currants)
1 3/4 c. buttermilk
2 large eggs
3 Tbsp. melted butter or margarine (divided)
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Mix dry ingredients with raisins in a bowl.  Combine buttermilk, eggs, 2 Tbsp. butter and vanilla and beat until blended. Add egg mixture to dry ingredients and stir until evenly moistened.

Spread batter into a greased 10 inch oven-proof frying pan or cheesecake pan with removable bottom.  Drizzle with remaining 1 Tbsp. melted butter. Bake at 350 degrees until bread is browned and pulls away from sides of pan, about 45 min. Serve warm or room temperature.  Makes 1 loaf, about 10 servings.

Notes: to "oven-proof" your skillet (unless it is cast iron, like mine) usually just takes wrapping the handle in aluminum foil. The leftovers were yummy with cocoa for breakfast