Irish Soda Bread

3 cups sifted unbleached flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 stick lightly salted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup currants
1 tbsp. caraway seeds
1 egg
1 cup buttermilk
2 tbsp. honey

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Thoroughly mix together sifted flour, soda, baking powder, and salt.

Cut in the soft butter, working it in with your fingers until it is evenly distributed and the texture is a bit like corn meal. Stir in the currants and caraway seeds.

Beat egg, buttermilk, and honey together in a small bowl. Add milk mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring briefly only to moisten evenly. Do not overmix.

Turn out on a lightly floured board and briefly knead to form a smooth dough.
Shape into a high, round ball. Place on a buttered baking sheet.

Slash across vertically and horizontally about 4 " long and 1/2" deep.

Bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes.

Cool 30 minutes before slicing.