Traditional Irish Soda Bread - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 - 1 1/2 cup buttermilk

Preparation

Heat oven to 425 degrees F. Brush a baking sheet with melted butter or spray with non-stick spray.
Combine dry ingredients in a deep bowl. Gradually stir in 1 cup buttermilk, beating constantly, until dough is firm enough to be gathered into a ball. If dough crumbles, add up to 1/2 cup more buttermilk, 1 tbsp at a time, until it holds together.
Place on a lightly floured board and pat into an 8-inch flattened round loaf.
Place loaf on baking sheet and slash a 1/2-inch deep \"X\" into the top of the dough with a small, sharp knife.
Bake at 425 degrees F for about 45 minutes, or until the top is golden.
Serve hot.