Irish Soda Bread

MAKES: 1 loaf

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 cups (480g) flour, plus more for dusting
• 2 tbsp (30g) sugar
• 1 tsp (5g) kosher salt
• 1 tsp (5g) baking soda
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, plus more for greasing
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 2 cups (472mL) buttermilk

STEPS:

1. Heat oven to 425F (220C).
2. Sift together flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda into a large mixing bowl.
3. Using a pastry cutter or two knives, work butter into flour mixture until it resembles coarse meal.
4. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Add egg and buttermilk to well and mix in with a wooden spoon until dough is too stiff to stir.
5. Dust hands with a little flour, then gently knead dough in the bowl just long enough to form a rough ball.
6. Transfer dough to a floured surface and shape into a round loaf.
7. Transfer dough to a baking sheet. Using a serrated knife, score top of dough about ½-inch (1.3cm) deep in an X shape.
8. Transfer to oven and bake until bread is golden and bottom sounds hollow when tapped with a knife, about 40 minutes.
9. Transfer bread to a rack to let cool briefly before serving.