Irish Soda Bread

Ingredients
1 cup raisins or currants
1 tablespoon caraway seeds
1/2 cup milk, heated
3 cups unbleached white flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
2 tablespoons shortening
1 egg
3/4 cup buttermilk


Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet.
2. In a small bowl cover the raisins or currants and the caraway seeds with the heated milk. Set aside.
3. Sift together the dry ingredients and cut in the shortening until texture is fine.
4. Add the egg and buttermilk to the raisin-milk mixture and stir to combine.
5. Add egg mixture all at once to the flour mixture and stir with a fork to combine just until ingredients are moistened. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead gently for a few strokes, adding more flour if necessary to make a smooth dough. Form dough into an 8 or 9-inch round and place on the baking sheet. With a sharp knife cut an X into the top of the round, about 1/2-inch deep.
6. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes until loaf is golden brown and firm to the touch. Serve immediately.