I really should have had a Valentine’s dessert ready for you guys, but you can find some suitable ones from years past here, here, here and here. I’m so crazy busy lately, that I goofed it for today.
As many of you know, next to baking, the photography is right there with being a crazy-obsessive passion of mine. And if you follow me on Instagram, then you’ll often hear me bemoan my own photography.
To clarify, for all those that want to tell me to shut-up (and you may still after my clarification), it’s not about perfection. I don’t actually believe in perfection. It’s about learning and growing as a creative. I hate that stagnant feeling where everything looks, feels and tastes the same. Thankfully, not only have I been partnering up with Matt lately on the photography, he’s got some of his own headstrong ideas for what he likes. Which is great because it’s pushing me creatively.
Along with that, I’ve recently picked up a photography job that required me to make and shoot bread. Bread isn’t something I’ve naturally gravitated towards, but this recent project has helped me to find joy in something I don’t usually have patience for. And this Cinnamon Raisin Soda Bread is such an easy and great recipe to start with if you are a novice bread baker like me.
So expect some bread and more switch-up in the photography. The latter may be more slow coming, but it shall come.
Cinnamon Raisin Irish Soda Bread
Ingredients
- Recipe from McCormick.com
- 5 cups flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons McCormick Caraway Seeds
- 1 teaspoon McCormick Ground Cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cups raisins or currants
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract
Instructions
Preparation: Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease baking sheet.
- Place flour, sugar, baking powder, caraway seed, cinnamon, baking soda and salt in a bowl and mix to combine. Stir in raisins. Set aside. Beat eggs in a bowl. Stir in buttermilk, sour cream and vanilla, then add to dry ingredients and stir until well combined.
- Divide dough in half. Shape each portion into a ball. Place on prepared baking sheet. Make a deep X on top of each loaf with a knife. Bake at 350 degrees for about 50-55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and top is golden brown. Transfer loaves to a wire rack to cool.
Love the mood in these shots, looking forward to more bread posts!
Congrats on your photography job and that’s not too bad of a job that you get to make bread and shoot it! Sounds about perfect to me! Such pretty bread, too! pinned
I wasn’t into bread before last year. Then I went to a baking program (which was bread focused, oddly enough) and learned how to make about 250 sorts of bread. Now I love, love, love it. Because bread has so much heart and soul. Kinda like your photos…
I know how hard it can be to think you’re falling into a distinctive style and have trouble seeing the world in a different way (creatively anyway). I’m also a photographer, and I’ve recently had trouble with the same thing! Just always remember that your work is absolutely astounding; I really do think you’ve been expanding your creative abilities, maybe you just haven’t noticed because it’s so gradual.
And I can’t wait to try this soda bread, it looks delicious!
These shots are stunning, they depict winter, warmth, fires, red wine, anti pasti platters which all add up to a pretty damn good Valentines day if you ask me!
You are amazing and don’t think otherwise!! I do get what you are saying though. It is not about perfection, but more about growing. I feel the same way when it comes to my recipe and photos.
This bread is gorgeous!! Oh and not to mention I am sure delicious too!
I always enjoy cinnamon bread and this one looks amazing!
The lighting and composition on your images are always awe-inspiring and these images of the cinnamon raisin bread are just beautiful. Love the DOF you’re using. I can smell that bread! Congrats on your new photo assignment for bread.
These new shots are beautiful. I love that you’re stretching yourself creatively and also love that your husband is getting in on the fun. It makes me want to enlist my honey’s man arms in some shots! Excited to see more!
Beautiful bread! Cinnamon raisin is my favorite!
This sounds like such a nice bread! You achieved such a comfortable mood in these pictures- I’ve already loved all the bread shots you’ve recently shared on instagram – awesome work! Totally have to agree with your opinion on creative growth though – well done and keep going – your work offers such a wide range of inspiration! 🙂
I’m totally in love with the photos in this post – especially the first one. And soda bread is a great alternative to its yeasty fellows. No rising time required!
These shots are beyond gorgeous, Naomi.It’s still “you” but a slight bit different. Love them (and the bread).
Your photos are gorgeous (as usual). And I really love that you’re able to work with your husband on them–I would love to have my husband work with me on creative projects!
I was recently re-introduced to this quote by Ira Glass & it has really been inspirational when I feel down about my own creative work.
This is gorgeous! I love your photography and how you’re always pushing yourself creatively. Adore this cinnamon raisin flavor!
Photographing bread sounds so fun! Your photography is already super rad, but I’m excited to see the switch up! Also, fabulous bread!
Such an elegant post & bread 🙂
Beautiful pictures! Your bread looks amazingly delicious! Pinning this!
Wow, wow, wow! This is absolutely stunning, Naomi!
Perfect for St. Patty’s day and your lighting is as flawless as ever!
I would consider myself a perfectionist, BUT I know perfection does not exist, so I try to just impress myself and my very high standards by learning, growing and becoming a better cook, baker and beer taster.
I love the mood in that first shot Naomi, and the bread is, I’m sure, fabulous! Your work is so inspirational to me; as much as you might feel inadequate about it at times, there are certainly many of us who aspire to be as talented!
Lately I’ve been really liking that rough, textured and dark food photography. I love all the your images here. I am also a big bread fan so I’ll on the look for more bread recipes from you!
Cinnamon raisin bread is some of the best comfort food and I’m always loving your photos!
This bread is gorgeous and congrats on your photography job! I think that the combination of you and Matt is absolute perfection; I cannot wait to see what is coming from you guys. I totally get you on the photography!
Holy goodness is this yummy bread! Just came out of the oven. I gave it 15 min and cut myself a slice. I usually make a standard soda bread that is more cake than dry and decided this recipe was too good to pass up . So glad I baked it and plan on freezing the orher loaf for future deliciousness. Thx for the recipe!
The pictures of your cinnamon raisin bread picture look so real appetizing and appealing. I am a bread lover. I can smell it now. I an going to try to make it. I am a new baker. Your bread is a bread masterpiece.
You forgot to add the 1/2 ts baking soda! Argh Just waisted a lot of ingredients. I should have cross checked with Mcormick website right away.