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Beth’s Irish Soda Bread

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A LIKELY STORYA likely story by Jenn McKinlay is another one of those series I haven’t read up until now! Sure, I’ve read several of Jenn’s Cupcake Bakery Mystery series and even shared her Orange Dreamsicle Cupcake recipe from BUTTERCREAM BUMP OFF, but some how had overlooked her Library Lover’s Mystery series. And I have been missing out! A LIKELY STORY is the sixth book in her series (I have some catching up to do!) but is easily read as a stand-alone. I immediately jumped in and felt like I knew who the characters were and what was going on. Lindsay Norris is Briar Creek’s Public Library Director. Lindsay is not your typical “older” shushing librarian, but instead is young and has brought numerous changes to the library to bring appeal to both young and old alike. One of the programs she has instituted is delivering books to some of the patrons living on the Thumb Islands, an archipelago dotting the coast of Connecticut.

She sets out to deliver some books to reclusive elderly brothers, Stewart and Peter Rosen, who live alone on Star Island. The water taxi boat captain is none other than her ex-boyfriend, Sully, who she’d like to get back together with if she knew it would work out this time. When they reach the island, Stewart isn’t in his usual spot to receive the library books. His brother, Peter, is wheelchair bound, so after waiting awhile and still no Stewart, Lindsay and Sully decide they should make sure the elderly men are okay. After navigating the booby-trapped house – the hermits take their privacy seriously – they stumble upon the body of Peter Rosen, shot to death…and Stewart is missing.

With the Chief of Police, Emma Plewicki, out of commission with a broken leg sustained in the Rosen’s booby-trapped house, Lindsay decides she must try to find the missing Stewart who is the prime suspect in his brother’s murder. Feeling that elderly Stewart couldn’t be the killer and worried he may be the next victim, spurs her on towards asking questions and digging into family secrets long buried and hidden on the isolated islands.

Jenn McKinlay weaves her characters into the setting in a wonderful way that draws you in and makes you sorry when the story ends. I loved her addition of Lindsay’s friends, especially Beth, along with the Crafternoon group, which provides an outlet for sharing books, crafts, delicious recipes and the support of friendship. Jenn shares a craft, a reader’s guide and a couple recipes at the back of her book, and has allowed me to share Beth’s Irish Soda Bread with you.

While I’ve seen a lot of  Irish Soda Bread recipes, this is the first time I’ve made it. Plump raisins and savory caraway seeds are encased in an easy buttermilk dough that relies on baking soda and baking powder for rising instead of yeast. Toasted with a bit of butter, Beth’s Irish Soda Bread is the perfect accompaniment to breakfast, a teatime snack or with some hearty Irish Lamb Stew….which I’ll share my recipe with you on Friday. Be sure to check back for my secret to making rich, meaty stew without the hassle of flouring and browning the meat!

Thank you to Jenn McKinlay, for allowing me to share Beth’s Irish Soda Bread! I gave some to friends who agreed this recipe was a home-run! I have also included a short video tutorial below on how to make the bread.

 

GIVEAWAY

 

As a bonus for my readers I am giving away one hardback copy of A LIKELY STORY by Jenn McKinlay. Please leave a comment below to be entered. Contest ends Thursday, January 7, 2016 at 11:59 pm PST and is open to U.S. residents only. Winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!) and will have 5 days to respond or another winner will be chosen.

 

Irish Soda Bread

 

Beth’s Irish Soda Bread

Ingredients

2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 tablespoon baking powder (= 1-1/2 teaspoons)
1/2 stick unsalted butter, softened (this is 1/4 cup**)
1-1/4 cups buttermilk, shaken well
1 large egg
1 cup raisins
1 tablespoon caraway seeds
1 tablespoon melted butter

 

Irish Soda Bread

 

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).

Butter and flour a large baking sheet, or line with parchment paper.

Whisk together the first six ingredients (flour thru butter). You can use a food processor to pulse the ingredients together quickly, or use a pastry/dough blender.

Mix buttermilk and egg in a separate bowl then add to flour mixture until dough is moistened but still lumpy.

Add the raisins and caraway seeds to the dough and knead on a well-floured surface about 8 times to form a soft and less sticky dough.

Pat into 6-inch round dome on baking sheet.

Cut a 1/2-inch-deep X on top of the loaf with a sharp knife, then brush the loaf with melted butter.

Bake in the middle of the oven until golden brown, 40 to 45 minutes.

Transfer loaf to rack to cool completely.

Serves 8.

 

 

 If you subscribe to receive my posts via email, you will need to visit my website to view the video tutorial

 

** Blooper Alert!!! I typed the recipe as the author wrote it (I proof pretty closely before I start cooking) but when it came time to actually make the Irish Soda Bread, I MISREAD the recipe both the times that I made it. I used a 1/2 CUP of butter vs. the 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) it should have been and didn’t realize until I began editing the video and adding the ingredient captions. The bread was still delicious but now I know why it spread out more than I thought it should 🙂 Had I had a couple days extra time to remake the recipe I would have…but trust me, this is a delicious bread even with my mistake!

 

Irish Soda Bread

 

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74 thoughts on “Beth’s Irish Soda Bread”

  1. I would love to win this, I love your books and can’t wait to try this Soda Bread recipe, thank you

  3. I would be so happy if I could win this book. I’ve read every book you’ve ever written and always have a hard time waiting for the next.
    Thank you for the hours of enjoyment your books have given me. Thank you for the opportunity to win.9

  6. This is a terrific series and I’m looking forward to reading (hopefully winning) the latest. Recipe sounds so good.

  7. I have never made Irish soda bread but it looks simple enough to try.I have everything but the buttermilk and butter i use margarine
    Thanks for a chance to win the book. Gonna put her on my to try list of authors! My list is growing lol..

  8. Hardcovers are keepers and there is always room on my bookshelf for a Jenn McKinlay mystery!!!!!
    You made me contact my daughter so she can pick up buttermilk and raisins for the soda bread!
    It goes without saying I’d love to win.

  9. It has been years since I have made Irish Soda bread. Thank you for the reminder. I used to make it all the time when the kids were little. Haven’t made bread since they all left home. Think it’s time to do it again. And I would love to get a copy of Jenn’s “A Likely Story”. I have only learned of her, & her works recently. It would be great to have this as a starter..

  10. I love the Library Lover’s series! I started with the Cupcake series as well, but quickly devoured the others. I don’t think there is anything she can write that won’t turn out awesome. Have you tried the Hat Shop Mysteries? The newest one came out today. You will love them. =)

  16. I am a fan of Jenna’s books, and this recipe seems simple and perfect for my monthly visit with former teacher colleagues.

  21. I haven’t started this series yet. I have read the cupcake bakery series and really enjoyed them. Like books with recipes. Will be starting this series soon.

  22. This looks like it’ll be a good recipe to try out. Thanks for sharing. When it comes to Jenn’s books, I don’t think I’ve come across one that I haven’t loved. Thanks as well for the chance to win.

  23. I have not read any of her books yet. I would love to have this one to start with. The bread looks delicious. Thanks for the giveaway.

  24. I am a big fan of Jen’s books! I think the Irish Soda bread recipe looks great and I’ve always wanted to try making it. Thanks!

  27. The soda bread recipe looks great. Would love to start reading your books. Thanks for the giveaeay.

  31. I love all of Jenn McKinlay’s series. This was the first one I read & I’d love to win this latest one.

  32. Want to read this one, along with the others in this series! Good thing I received gift cards in the mail. And I love Irish soda bread.

  34. I don’t bake, I leave that to my husband. I bet I can get him to make the Irish soda bread for me while I read the book. He’s good like that.

  35. Love Jenn’s book and I am looking forward to making this recipe. Love that it doesn’t need yeast. Thanks for th chance.

  37. Thank you for the recipe and the giveaway. I adore Jenn’s books and
    hope I win! Happy New Year.

  40. I really enjoy this series and hope to win but either way I will read it. Love recipes from authors or in the books. Thanks.

  41. I love the Library series! I have all the Cupcake series books but I haven’t read them yet. I’m saving them for dessert!

  50. I’ve made different soda bread over the years, can’t wait to try this one. Just need to make a trip to the store for caraway seed.

  55. We both love Irish soda bread and will have to try this recipe. Would really like to read this book, also – thank you for the chance to win!

  60. Anything about a librarian and I am there…sounds wonderful! I have yet to try Irish soda bread but boy that looks good too…thank you for the contest.
    Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com

  61. I love your books and would love to win a copy of the book. Thank you for the wonderful opportunity!

    Blessings,
    Jo
    azladijo (at) aol (dot) com

  62. Sounds like another great story– to win this book would be most excellent 😀 Thank you for sharing the soda bread recipe!

  64. I love all of Jenn’s series, but I must say that this is my favorite one so would love to win this hardcover! I can’t wait to try the soda bread recipe either!

  67. First time to visit your blog…well done! Thank you for the recipe and for the chance to win this long awaited installment of the Library Lovers mystery!

  68. I’ve probably read two of the books in this series and a few of the cupcake books. I think I own about four more of her books that I haven’t read yet.

  72. I absolutely love Jenn McKinlay’s books. I have them all and love them. I would love to win this book.

  73. Pingback: Slow-Cooker Hearty Irish Lamb Stew - Cinnamon and Sugar

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