Railway Cake

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Step 2

Generously grease or spray an 8-inch cake pan.

Step 3

Sift the flour into a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixture.

Step 4

Add the baking soda, the sugar, and the salt to the bowl with the flour, whisking until well combined.

Step 5

Make a well in the center of the bowl of the dry ingredients.

Step 6

In a measuring cup, whisk together the buttermilk and the egg.

Step 7

Add the raisins to the well in the dry ingredients.

Step 8

Add the buttermilk and egg mixture to the well and mix until everything is just combined. Be careful not to overmix it.

Step 9

Lightly flour a flat work surface.

Step 10

Turn the dough onto the floured worksurface and pull the pieces together, shaping it into a 1 1/2-2-inch-tall round loaf.

Step 11

Transfer the rounded loaf to the prepared baking pan.

Step 12

Use a sharp knife to cut a cross over the top of the loaf, making 4 quarters.

Step 13

Poke a hole into each of the quarters.

Step 14

Using a second 8-inch pan if available, cover the pan with the dough. This will replicate the original baking process of the soda bread.

Step 15

Bake for 30 minutes.

Step 16

Transfer the top cake pan away from the bottom cake pan and continue baking until the top of the bread is golden, about 15 minutes.

Step 17

Transfer the loaf from the baking pan and move it to a wire cooling rack.

Step 18

Serve while still warm.