Irish Soda Bread

2 CUPS UNSIFTED ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR

2 TBL SUGAR

2 TSP BAKING POWDER

1 TSP BAKING SODA

½ TSP SALT

3 TBL BUTTER, SOFTENED

1 CUP BUTTERMILK

1 TBL BUTTER, MELTED

PREHEAT OVEN TO 375.  LIGHTLY GREASE A SMALL COOKIE SHEET.

IN LARGE BOWL, SIFT FLOUR, SUGAR, BAKING POWDER, SODA AND SALT.

CUT IN SOFTENED BUTTER WITH A PASTRY BLENDER OR FORK UNTIL MIXTURE LOOKS LIKE FINE CRUMBS.

ADD BUTTERMILK; MIX IN WITH A FORK ONLY UNTIL DRY INGREDIENTS ARE MOISTENED.

TURN OUT ON LIGHTLY FLOURED PASTRY CLOTH OR BOARD.  KNEAD GENTLY UNTIL SMOOTH – ABOUT 1 MINUTE.

SHAPE INTO A BALL.  PLACE ON PREPARED COOKIE SHEET; FLATTEN INTO A 7-INCH CIRCLE. (dough will be about 1 ½ inches thick.)  PRESS A LARGE FLOURED KNIFE INTO CENTER OF LOAF ALMOST UNTIL BOTTOM IS CUT THROUGH.  REPEAT AT RIGHT ANGLES TO MARK LOAF INTO QUARTERS.

BAKE 30 – 40 MINUTES, OR UNTIL TOP IS GOLDEN BROWN AND LOAF SOUNDS HOLLOW WHEN TAPPED.

REMOVE TO WIRE RACK TO COOL.  BRUSH TOP WITH MELTED BUTTER.  DUST WITH FLOUR IF YOU WISH.

MAKES 1 LOAF