Graham's Irish Soda Bread

4 cups unsifted regular all-purpose flour

1 t. salt

3 t. baking powder

1 t. soda

1/4 cup sugar

1/8 t. cardamon

1/4 cup butter

1 egg

1 3/4 cups buttermilk

2 cups currants (optional)

Combine in a large bowl the flour, salt, baking powder, soda, sugar and spices. Add butter and cut in with a pastry blender or two knives until crumbly. Beat egg slightly and mix with buttermilk; add to dry ingredients and stir until blending. Turn out on a floured and knead until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes. Divide the dough in half and shape each into a round loaf, place each loaf in an 8-inch cake or pie pan. Press down until dough fills pans. with a very sharp knife cut crosses on tops of loaves, about 1/2 - inch deep in the middle of both loaves. Bake in a moderately hot oven (375) for 30 to 40 minutes. Makes 2 Loaves, which freeze very well double wrapped to prevent drying out.