Irish Soda Bread

Place oven rack in upper middle position and preheat to 400 F/205 C. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. Add the softened butter and work the mixture with your fingers or with a fork until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Add the buttermilk and stir gently with a fork just until the mixture starts comes together. If the mixture is too dry to come together, add a little more buttermilk, but be careful not to add too much. Turn it out onto a floured work surface and knead it until it becomes a cohesive mass. It should be bumpy and airy, not smooth. Do no over-knead it or your soda bread will be tough.Gently shape it into a 6-inch/15cm round and place it in a parchment-lined cast iron skillet or cast iron pot. Score a cross shape on the top of the loaf. Bake for 40-45 minutes until golden brown brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean (for more precise results bake until the internal temperature is 180 F/82 C. Let cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing.