Mini Irish Soda Bread Loaves

makes 8 mini loaves

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups organic pastry flour

1 teaspoon raw sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 - 1 1/2 cups organic low-fat buttermilk

1/2 cup organic raisins

1 tablespoon caraway seeds [optional]

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

2. Wash raisins in cool water, drain well, and toss with some flour to coat. Set aside.

3. In a large bowl, whisk (or sift) together the flours, sugar, baking soda, and salt.

4. Stir in floured raisins and caraway seeds, if using.

5. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture.

6. Add the buttermilk.

7. Stir with a wooden spoon until ingredients are just moistened. Add additional buttermilk if necessary.

8. Turn dough out on lightly-floured board. Knead until smooth -- about one minute. Add additional flour as needed.

9. Shape dough into a ball, about 6-8 inches in diameter. Make about 6-8 mini balls out of the larger round.

10. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet. Use a knife to make a cross on the top of each dough ball down to within one inch of the bottom. [I was not as aggressive with my crosses as I should have been -- don't be afraid to cut deep into the dough!]

11. Bake 10 minutes at 450 degrees. Then decrease the temperature to 400 degrees and bake 10-15 minutes more.

12. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack.

13. Serve with butter. Note: It's best to eat (or share!) the mini soda breads within one day of baking.