My family is not fond of raisins, so for the past several years I've been making this soda bread instead of the original. I got the recipe from a Nestle cook book. I leave out the raisins. It's delicious!
Chocolate Chip Irish Soda Bread
4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
3 teas. baking powder
1 teas. baking soda
1 teas. salt
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
1-1/3 cups buttermilk
1 egg
Preheat oven to 375 F. In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Using pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in butter until mixture resembles course crumbs. Stir in raisins and choc. chips. In small bowl, combine buttermilk and egg; beat well. Add to flour mixture, stir until dry ingredients are just moistened. On lightly floured board, knead dough (about 3 minutes). Shape into flattened ball. Place on lightly greased baking sheet. Score top of dough with sharp knife to form an x, about 1/2 inch deep. Brush the tops with a little buttermilk or 1 egg yolk mixed with water. Bake for 50-60 minutes. Serve warm.
