Irish Soda Bread (or Spotted Dog)

If your "soda bread" has raisins, it's not "soda bread! It's called "Spotted Dog" or "Railway Cake"! If it contains raisins, eggs, baking powder, sugar or shortening, it's called "cake", not "bread." All are tasty, but not traditional Irish Soda Bread!

(btw, by the time I remembered to take a pic, this is what was left!)

Ingredients
•4 cups plain white flour
•1/3 cup sugar
•1/2 teaspoon salt
•1/2 teaspoon baking soda
•1/2 cup raisins, currants or sultanas
(we have been known to sneak in chocolate chips instead LOL)
•1 1/2 cups milk soured with 11/2 tablespoons of lemon juice

Directions
1.Sift the dry ingredients, add the fruit and mix well.
2.Make a well in the center add most of the milk. Using one hand, mix in the flour from the sides of the bowl, adding more milk if necessary. The dough should be softish but not too wet and sticky. When it all comes together, turn it out onto a floured board and knead lightly for a few seconds - just long to tidy it up.

3. Pat the dough into a round about 1 1/2 inches deep and cut a deep cross in it (to let the faeries out!). Let the cuts go over the sides of the bread.

4. Bake in a preheated 450 degree F oven for 15 minutes, then turn the oven down to 400 degrees F and Bake for another 30 minutes or until cooked. If you are in doubt, tap the bottom: it will sound hollow when cooked.
5. Serve freshly Baked, cut into thick slices and spread with butter.