Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.

Line a baking sheet with parchment and set aside.

In a large bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, salt and baking soda.

Cut the butter into the flour mixture either using a pastry cutter, or even your hands! I actually find it much easier just to use my fingers to do this part. When done, the butter should be in pea-sized chunks. Be careful not to over mix, or the bread will be dense and tough.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg and buttermilk.

Pour the milk/egg mixture into the flour ingredients, then mix with a fork until it all comes together in a semi-sticky ball.

Add some flour to your countertop (make a lightly floured surface) then shape the dough into a ball. If the dough is too sticky, dust with a little flour until you can work with it. It's ok if it's a little sticky.

Transfer the dough ball to the baking sheet.

Use a very sharp knife to cut an X into the top (as shown in the pictures).

Mix together the topping ingredients: 2 tbsp buttermilk and 2 tbsp melted butter. Then brush the top generously with it.

Bake for 45 minutes. While the bread is baking, brush the top with the buttermilk/butter mixture a few times, this makes the top a nice golden brown.

When the bread is done, remove it from the oven and cool on a wire rack for about 15 minutes before cutting.