Traditional Irish Soda Bread

Ingredients

• 4 cupsall-purpose flour(plus extra for dusting)
• 1 tspbaking soda
• 1 tspsalt
• 1.5 cupsbuttermilk(up to 1 3/4 cups if needed)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 450F (230C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
3. Make a well in the centre and pour in 1 1/2 cups of buttermilk. Mix with your hands or a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. If the dough seems dry, add more buttermilk a splash at a time. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky.
4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. With floured hands, bring it together just enough to form a round loaf about 8 inches across and 1 1/2 inches thick. Do not over-knead - the less you handle it, the lighter the bread.
5. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, score a deep X into the top of the loaf, cutting nearly to the edges.
6. Bake at 450F for 15 minutes, then reduce the oven to 400F (200C) and bake for a further 25 to 30 minutes, until the crust is deep golden brown.
7. The bread is done when it sounds hollow when tapped firmly on the bottom. Transfer to a wire rack and cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with butter.