Pook's Pantry Recipe Blog

A Life in Food by real-life Chef Cheryl Bennett

bread

Classic Bread Stuffing

Classic bread stuffing is as synonymous with Thanksgiving as turkey. Cubes of dried bread mixed with celery, onions and sage are baked in the oven until golden brown. It is my favorite Thanksgiving side dish, along with the easiest 5 ingredient corn casserole that everyone loves. bread stuffing in white casserole dish with sage leaves

As we are all gearing up for this holiday, the only one that is all about food, I am planning our Thanksgiving menu. 

Butternut squash arugula salad, turkey, stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, melting potatoes with garlic and herbs, gravy, pumpkin pie and cranberry upside down cake. 

I may even make a few pumpkin rum balls for after dinner. Can you really ask for anything else? Carbs with a side of carbs. (it’s one day, indulge!)

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Easy Bruschetta Recipe with Melon

This easy bruschetta recipe is made with fresh melon, ricotta cheese and drizzled with honey for a sweet snack. Melon bruschetta is a great appetizer for summer parties. It is light, fresh and absolutely delicious. For another sweet bruschetta recipe, check out this Apple Chutney Bruschetta.

easy bruschetta recipe with melon and ricotta cheese

This melon and ricotta cheese bruschetta is light, fresh and so easy!

Easy Bruschetta Recipe with Melon is sponsored by Sprout’s Farmers Market. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Pook’s Pantry. As always, all opinions, recipes and photos are my own.
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How to make sweet Irish soda bread

This sweet Irish soda bread recipe is different than traditional soda bread, which is not sweet. It reminds me more of a scone in loaf form and it’s perfect with a thick layer of Irish butter, and a piping hot cup of strong tea.

sweet irish soda bread on cooling rack

Soda bread is just as synonymous with St. Patrick’s Day as corned beef and cabbage. This recipe was given to me by a lovely 86 year old Irish lass. I tweaked it slightly, but the heart of this recipe is hers.

Sweet Irish Soda Bread

This recipe is sweeter than most soda breads and a little cakier. There are many variations of soda bread out there. Most traditionally, it is not sweet and does not have raisins in it.

whole loaf of soda bread cooling on rack

I like this version, so it’s what I make and quite honestly, that is an integral part of cooking and baking as far as I’m concerned. 

If you are making something you like, you are more likely to cook or bake and isn’t that the point? Do what makes you happy, friends. This bread makes me quite happy.

How to make sweet Irish soda bread

This bread is very easy to make. First, cold Irish butter is cut into the flour mixture using a pastry blender. Then, raisins, golden raisins and currants are added.

Next, beat eggs and mix with milk. Then the egg mixture goes in and everything is mixed until it comes together. It is formed into a loaf and bakes for an hour.

This is not like baking traditional bread, where there is a rise and then punching it down to rise again. This is a quick bread recipe and as suggested by the name, comes together very quickly.

Sweet Irish Soda Bread with Raisins and Sultanas

If you tend to like barely sweet, in theory you should be able to reduce the amount of sugar to 1/2 cup without any major disasters. 

I haven’t done this, so I can’t be held responsible for the results! If you don’t care for raisins you can omit them or stick with all currants.

This bread is great the first day, a little less on the second and by by the third day: make toast. It makes a rather large loaf, so you could split the dough in half, reduce the baking time and just freeze the other one.

Of, if you’re like me and you tend to make enough to feed half the neighborhood, make someone’s day and share your golden, studded beauty with a few friends.

Best sweet Irish soda bread recipe

While I wouldn’t dream of calling this recipe the BEST, it is the best I’ve ever tasted. I love the sweetness in this bread, which could be served after dinner instead of a dessert.

However, these chocolate cupcakes with mint buttercream are perfect for a St. Patty’s Day dessert.

Pin it to your bread board

Yield: 16

Irish Soda Bread

sweet irish soda bread on cooling rack

A sweet Irish soda bread, perfect for enjoying with a cup of tea.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4  c. AP flour, plus extra for board
  • 1 c. sugar
  • 3 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 c. butter, cold, cut into cubes
  • 1/2 c. golden raisins
  • 1/2 c. raisins
  • 1/2 c. currants
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 c. buttermilk

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar.
  3. Set aside. 
  4. Using a pastry blender or food processor cut butter into flour mixture until pebble sized pieces remain. 
  5. Add raisins and currants into flour and butter mixture.  Toss to coat raisins in flour.
  6. Add milk and eggs, mix to combine (I don't recommend food processor here).  
  7. Dough will be sticky. Using floured hands, mold into a round or oblong loaf.  This is a quick bread and is not meant to be kneaded, take care not to overwork the dough.
  8. Place soda bread on baking pan lined with parchment paper in center of oven.
  9. Bake for 1 hour, remove from oven and place on cooling rack.
  10. Brush top of soda bread with butter while hot.
  11.  Let cool completely before cutting.

Notes

(because I lack patience, I sliced mine while it was still warm... It is better to wait until it has cooled completely before you cut into it)

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

16
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 408Saturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 279mgCarbohydrates: 78gFiber: 2gSugar: 25gProtein: 8g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

© Cheryl Bennett
Cuisine: Irish / Category: Bread
 

This post and recipe have been updated from the original publish date – 2/28/13

Tropical Coconut Bread Recipe

Tropical coconut bread is just the thing to turn an ordinary breakfast into a something special.  Coconut always reminds me of vacation and this bread is like a slice of paradise on a plate. This coconut loaf stays moist for days, which means you can enjoy it all week long.

tropical coconut bread slices on marble board

Tropical Coconut Bread

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How to Make Sage Onion Rolls

Sage onion rolls are perfect for your holiday table.  They are filled with a savory red onion mixture and adorned with fresh sage leaves, making them as pretty as they are tasty.

sage onion rolls on platter

Post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through the link, I make a few pennies at no extra cost to you. Questions? Please see disclosure for info.

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Chocolate Hazelnut Bread Pudding

Chocolate Hazelnut Bread Pudding. Luscious bread pudding swirled with chocolate hazelnut spread.  It requires little more than a bit of mixing and whisking.  Whether you dust it with powdered sugar or give it a drizzle, you seriously cannot go wrong.

Chocolate Hazelnut Bread Pudding | Pook's Pantry

Bread pudding is one of those recipes that’s great for a crowd (think holidays!) because you can make a large batch without much extra effort.  And seriously, what’s better than a warm bowl of gooey, sweet, comforting goodness?

This post for Chocolate Hazelnut Bread Pudding is sponsored by Sprouts Farmers Market.  As always, all opinions, recipes and photos are my own.

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Dinner Divas – Weekly Menu Plan: Breakfast for Dinner


Breakfast for dinner is easily one of my favorite meals.  This week, the Dinner Divas have put together a week’s worth of Breakfast for Dinner recipes.  From sandwiches to a breakfast casserole, there is something for everyone.  

How it works:  Every Friday morning, a new meal plan will show up in your email.  It will consist of 5 dinner options, plus 2 extras.  Those two extras could be side dishes, dessert, drinks, etc. The Dinner Divas weekly menu plans will feature (mostly) healthy, seasonal foods that don’t take all day to prepare.   Getting the weekly menu delivered to your inbox on Friday morning gives you the chance to make your shopping list and get organized for the week ahead.  We’ve got so much good stuff this week!  I’d love to hear from you & see your creations!  Post a pic using #DinnerDivas and tag @pookspantry!   I hope this weekly menu plan provides inspiration and makes life a little easier… one meal at a time. 

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Dinner Divas Weekly Menu Plan: Week 13 – Sandwiches

sandwiches
Sandwiches are the focus this week.  They are a lunchbox staple and the ultimate “to-go” food, but they don’t need to be boring.  The Dinner Divas have 5 incredible sandwiches from an open-faced tartine of wine-poached pears and gorgonzola to gorgeous layers of vegetables on hearty bread.

How it works:  Every Friday morning, a new meal plan will show up in your email.  It will consist of 5 dinner options, plus 2 extras.  Those two extras could be side dishes, dessert, drinks, etc. The Dinner Divas weekly menu plans will feature (mostly) healthy, seasonal foods that don’t take all day to prepare.   Getting the weekly menu delivered to your inbox on Friday morning gives you the chance to make your shopping list and get organized for the week ahead.  We’ve got so much good stuff this week!  I’d love to hear from you & see your creations!  Post a pic using #DinnerDivas and tag @pookspantry!   I hope this weekly menu plan provides inspiration and makes life a little easier… one meal at a time. 

Let’s Get to the Sandwiches!

We begin the week with these adorable Mini Crab Rolls from The Chef Next Door.  A little light prep on Sunday makes these even easier to get on the table at the start of the week.

Next up this week are my tartines.  A tartine is a fancy open-faced sandwich.  I have two recipes in one post, so you really get a bonus here!  Wine-Poached Pear with Gorgonzola Dolce and Prosciutto, Fig Jam and Parmesan Tartines

sandwiches

Our third sandwich this week is Chicken Salad with Lemon Dill Yogurt Dressing from Comfortably Domestic.  Swap the mayo for this zingy yogurt dressing and make a batch of this chicken salad tonight.

Pastry Chef Online has made a Gourmet BLT with Avocado and it is one of my all time favorite combos.  If you have never put avocado on a BLT, friends, you are missing out on something delicious.

The last sandwich this week is Girl in the Little Red Kitchen’s Summer Vegetable Sandwich Bar.  There is nothing boring about this and the Bulgarian feta?!  Yes, please.

Now, it’s time for the extras!  We have 2 different desserts this week for you that use the best of summer fruits.

First are these Cherry Hand Pies from Pook’s Pantry (me!).  They are small and portable, so they are perfect for little hands and portion controlled for bigger hands, because I need that. Fresh cherry filling and a homemade crust make these the perfect summer treat.

Last up this week is this beautiful Blueberry Galette from The Chef Next Door. Rustic and filled with fresh blueberries, it’s a perfect weekend dessert.

That’s all for this week friends. Thank you for spending a part of your day with us, join us next week as we do breakfast for dinner!

Dinner Divas

Sausage and Potato Breakfast Casserole

A breakfast casserole is the perfect way to handle holidays. Whether it’s Mother’s Day, Christmas, Easter or even a family reunion weekend, it is the best bang for your buck. You can feed a crowd without standing in front of the stove for hours and the best part – it can be made ahead.

This last part is what seals the deal for me – getting everything prepared beforehand so you can simply slide it into the oven and go visit with your people.

Breakfast Casserole slice on plate with fork

Breakfast Casserole

Thank you to Idaho® Potatoes for sponsoring this post.   As always, all opinions are my own.

I really enjoy making a great spread and sitting around the table for a couple of hours while sipping on coffee and picking on the bountiful feast in front of me. Mother’s Day is next weekend and if I were able to spend it with my Mom, this is what I’d make for her.   If you would like to solidify your position as her “favorite”, make this for her and you’ll have it in the bag for good.

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11 of My Very Best Fall Recipes

fall-recipe-roundup

Crisp fall air and leaves turning shades of red and burnished orange, the crackle of them under your feet as you walk down the street with hands snuggled deep inside your pockets.    Autumn is by far my favorite season.  The temperatures begin to cool down at night, calling for an extra blanket or a down comforter.    This is something I miss now that I live south of the Mason Dixon line.  It’s only been 3 and a half years, but I doubt I’ll ever really get used to the lack of (distinguishable) seasons.

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