Irish Soda Bread

Makes 1 loaf

4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
1 cup currents or 1/2 cup currents and 1/2 cup golden raisins
1-3/4 cups well-shaken buttermilk

1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Butter and flour a large baking sheet, knocking off excess flour.

2. Add together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in food processor and process until well combined.  

3.  Add the butter cut-up into flour mixture and pulse until the flour mixture becomes course crumbs.

4.  Transfer flour mixture into a bowl and add currents.

5.  Add buttermilk and stir just until dough is evenly moistened but still lumpy.

6.  Transfer dough to a well-floured surface and gently knead with floured hands about 8 times to form a soft but slightly less sticky dough, then form into a ball.

7.  Pat dough ball into a 8-inch round on baking sheet. Cut a 1/2-inch-deep X on top of the loaf with a sharp knife.

8.  Bake in the middle of oven until golden brown and bottom sounds hollow when tapped, 45 to 55 minutes. You may cover with foil halfway through baking for a lighter colored  crust. Transfer to rack to cool completely.