Knead to know: Ivins baker makes unique bread and jelly you won’t find anywhere else

ST. GEORGE —When an entrepreneur realized that baking was her bread and butter, she set off to create flavors of bread and jelly that may seem odd to some – but don’t knock it till you try it.

Shannon Brown stands in her kitchen next to her homemade jelly, Ivins, Utah, July 12, 2022 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Shannon Brown stands in her kitchen next to her homemade jelly, Ivins, Utah, July 12, 2022 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

Shannon Brown, an inventor and owner of multiple businesses over the years, said no matter what she ventured into, she always came back to baking.

“My biggest passion is baking and cooking and things like that,” Brown said.”I love feeding people and bringing smiles to their faces.”

As a full-time nail technician for over 24 years, Brown said her career resulted in severe carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis. With a love for baking and almost a complete loss of grip in her hands, she was inspired to create her first invention – the Better Batter Bowl, after dropping a whole bowl of uncooked brownies. 

She began with a paper mache version of the bowl, then found someone in Leeds to manufacture the bowl. The Better Batter Bowl allows those with poor grip to put their hand through the bottom of it and easily hang onto the bowl, so they can continue to bake despite grip issues.

After the bowls were patented and manufactured, she sold them online and at local markets throughout Washington County. A few years later, she ran into manufacturing issues and decided to put the business on hold.

With four years of selling at markets, Brown said she noticed that food was always popular and something that “never went out of style.” So, she pivoted back to her real passion – baking. She got her food handlers permit and dived into the creation of her very own unique bread and jellies. 

Homemade bread by Shannon Brown is shown, location and date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Shannon Brown, St. George News
Homemade bread by Shannon Brown is shown, location and date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Shannon Brown, St. George News

“I started to play around with these breads and jellies, and I just like weird stuff,” Brown said. “I like having all the weird, different flavors that people just totally don’t expect in bread, like peaches and cream.”

Brown said she offers six different flavors that include apple cinnamon, peaches and cream, orange coconut, cheesy jalapeno, rosemary, cheese and garlic, and herbs and cheese. During the holidays she carries unique flavors such as cranberry orange walnut. Jelly options include unique flavors like cinnamon tomato and monkey butter – a non-dairy pineapple, coconut and banana mixture that’s great on ice cream, pancakes and more.

“I just try and find recipes or ideas, then put my little splash in there to keep it different,” Brown said.

As her mind constantly comes up with new ideas, Brown said she enjoys creating unique things that can be shared with the community. She is driven to continue her entrepreneurial life in order to be present for her two children, never missing out on activities and always being there when they need her.

Shannon Brown and her mother work their booth at the Tuacahn Saturday Market, Ivins, Utah, date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Shannon Brown, St. George News
Shannon Brown and her mother work their booth at the Tuacahn Saturday Market, Ivins, Utah, date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Shannon Brown, St. George News

“I also love being an entrepreneur because you can start with one thing and if that’s not working or something comes up, you just pivot and start something different,” Brown said.

As for future plans, Brown said she has a new nail business in the works, where she plans to teach others a simplistic way of doing their own acrylic nails at home After she taught her 12-year-old daughter how to do her own nails, she realized she could use her 24 years of nail tech experience and teach others. She plans to put together a video tutorial along with a full nail kit as part of the package. See more information on her new nail business here. 

As an artisan for many years, Brown hopes to inspire others who may be hesitant about providing their skill, craft or service to the community.

“If you’re on the fence with something that brings you happiness, more than likely someone else out there is looking for what you provide. And they’ll find you,” she said.

To purchase Brown’s baked goods and jellies in person, visit her booth at the Tuacahn Market or email her at [email protected].

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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