This is my mother's recipe and it comes out great! It is also good toasted.

Irish Bread

Recipe By: Kay Kelly

1 cup sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
4 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup shortening
1 cup raisins
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 1/4 cups milk

Pour 2 tablespoons apple juice over raisins; set aside. Sift into mixing bowl, sugar, baking powder, flour t. Using 2 knives, work shortening into flour until like meal. Add raisins (well drained). Mix together well. Make hole in center of mixture, add eggs and milk. Stir with knife until mixture forms a ball and leaves sides of bowl. Toss onto a well floured surface. With well floured hands, knead lightly until a soft ball is formed (you may have to add more flour if mixture is sticky). Divide into 2 parts and form into 2 round loaves. Place well apart on a slightly greased cookie sheet. Make a cross with a sharp knife on top of each loaf and brush with a slightly beaten egg white. Sprinkle top with sugar.
Bake a 375 for 10 minutes, then reduce to 350 and bake 20 to 25 minutes longer. Bread is done when toothpick comes out clean.
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