Irish Soda Bread

​4 cups flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons cold butter, diced
1¾ cups cold buttermilk, shaken
1 egg
 
1.  Preheat the oven to 375 degrees; line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
 
2.  With a fork, stir together dry ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer.  Add the butter and mix on low until the butter is mixed into the flour.
 
3.  With a fork, lightly beat the buttermilk and egg together to combine.  With the mixer on low speed, gently add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture until incorporated.  It will seem wet.
 
4.  Transfer the dough to a well-floured board and knead a few times; form into a round loaf.  Arrange the loaf on the prepared pan and cut a shallow X shape into the top with a serrated knife.  Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean.  Be careful not to overbake.
 
5.  Transfer to a baking rack to cool before serving slightly warm or at room temperature.
 
Added May 2020