Martha Stewart’s Irish Soda Bread

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cup Whole Milk (whole milk, room temperature)
• 1/3 cup Apple Cider Vinegar (raw, unfiltered preferred)
• 3 cup All-Purpose Flour (Hecker's brand preferred, sifted)
• 1 teaspoon Baking Powder (fresh, double‑acting)
• 1 teaspoon Baking Soda (aluminum‑free)
• 2 1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt (fine kosher salt)
• 1/2 cup Coarse Wheat Bran (outer coating of wheat, adds nutrition and flavor)
• 4 tablespoon Unsalted Butter (cold, cut into 1/4‑inch cubes)
• 1 cup Dark Raisins (packed)
• 1/4 cup Caraway Seeds (whole seeds, anise‑flavored)
• 1 cup Buttermilk (homemade) (made by mixing whole milk and apple cider vinegar and letting curdle)

Instructions

1. Make Homemade Buttermilk

   In a measuring cup combine 1 ⅓ cups whole milk with ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar, stir and let sit for about 2 minutes until it bubbles and curdles.

   Time: PT2M

2. Combine Dry Ingredients

   In a large mixing bowl whisk together 3 cups all‑purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp baking soda, 2 ½ tsp kosher salt, and ½ cup coarse wheat bran until evenly distributed.

   Time: PT5M

3. Prepare Butter

   Cut cold unsalted butter into ¼‑inch cubes (about 4 tbsp). Keep the cubes chilled until needed.

   Time: PT5M

4. Incorporate Butter

   Using a pastry cutter, cut the butter cubes into the dry mixture until it resembles coarse meal with pea‑size pieces.

   Time: PT2M

5. Add Fruit and Seeds

   Stir in 1 cup packed dark raisins and ¼ cup caraway seeds, distributing them evenly.

   Time: PT3M

6. Add Buttermilk and Form Dough

   Pour in 1 cup homemade buttermilk and stir just until the dough comes together; it should be moist but not sticky. Avoid over‑mixing.

   Time: PT3M

7. Shape Loaf

   Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface, shape into a round loaf, dust the top with a little flour, and cut a deep X across the surface.

   Time: PT5M

8. Prepare Baking Sheet

   Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the loaf on it.

   Time: PT1M

9. Bake

   Bake in a pre‑heated oven at 350°F for 1 hour 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and a tap on the bottom sounds hollow.

   Time: PT1H15M

   Temperature: 350°F

10. Cool and Serve

    Remove from oven, transfer to a cooling rack and let cool 15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with Irish butter or at room temperature.

    Time: PT15M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

200

Protein

4 g

Carbohydrates

35 g

Fat

6 g

Fiber

2 g