Spotted Dog

This traditional Irish fruit bread has also been called Railway Cake, Spotted Dick or Sweet Cake depending on the area you're in.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups white flour
• 2 tsps of sugar
• ½ tsp. Salt
• ½ tsp. Baking soda
• ½ cup raisins
• 1&½ cup milk (or buttermilk)

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees
• Sift the dry ingredients together and add fruit.
• Mix well.
• Make a well in the center of your dough and add the majority of the milk.
• The dough should be slightly soft, but not too wet and sticky.
• Once it has all come together put it on a floured board and knead very lightly for just a few seconds.
• Form the dough into a round shape about 1-½ inches deep.
• Cut a deep cross into the dough (necessary to let the fairies out!) Cut right into the sides of the bread.
• Bake in a 450 degree oven for 15 minutes.
• Lower the oven temperature to 400 degrees and cook an additional 30 minutes - or until done.
• The bottom will sound hollow when completely cooked.
• Serve hot from the oven with lots of fresh, creamy butter and a good cup of tea!