Method

Preheat the oven to 375°

Sprinkle 1 tsp. of the all-purpose flour over the centre of a baking sheet and set aside. Put 2 tsp of the all-purpose flour into a small bowl and set aside. Meanwhile, put remaining all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl and mix well with your hands to combine. Add butter, breaking it up into small pieces with your fingers, and mix it into flour mixture until combined. Make a well in the centre of the flour–butter mixture and add buttermilk. Slowly incorporate buttermilk into flour mixture with your hands until a rough ball forms, then turn out onto a lightly floured surface and form into a neat ball (without kneading).

Transfer dough to centre of baking sheet and press gently to form a 7 1/2″-wide round. Using a sharp knife, slash a cross 1/2″ deep across the entire top of the loaf and dust top of loaf with the reserved flour. Bake until bread is light golden and a tap on the bottom of the loaf sounds hollow, about 70 minutes.

Wrap bread in a clean kitchen towel, prop against a windowsill, and allow to cool for about 1 hour.

To Serve: Slice and serve at room temperature or toasted with a generous spread of country butter – simply delicious!