Take a large bowl and add flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar. Mix everything well using a spoon. Make sure the baking soda spreads evenly. This step helps the bread rise properly during baking. It also improves the final texture.

Slowly pour in the buttermilk while mixing. Use a wooden spoon first, then your hands. The dough will feel soft and slightly sticky. Do not overmix it. Overmixing can make the bread dense instead of light and airy.

Lightly flour your hands and work surface. Gently bring the dough together into a round shape. Do not knead too much. Soda bread is meant to be rustic. A soft touch gives the best texture and keeps it tender inside.

Place the dough on a lined baking tray. Use a sharp knife to cut a deep cross on top. This helps the bread cook evenly. It also gives the classic rustic soda bread look that many people love.

Preheat the oven to 200°C. Bake the bread for 35–40 minutes. The crust should turn golden brown. Tap the bottom to check. If it sounds hollow, the bread is ready. Let it cool before slicing.