"Knock Your Socks Off" Raisin Bread
A hearty, flavorful raisin bread packed with nuts, seeds, and grated carrots, offering a delightful combination of sweet and nutty flavors. Perfect for breakfast or a snack, this bread appeals to those who enjoy wholesome, homemade baked goods with a nutritional boost and complex textures.
Ingredients
- 3 pkg. yeast ⓘ
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. honey ⓘ
- 1/4 c. lukewarm water ⓘ
- 1/2 c. hot milk ⓘ
- 1/2 c. butter ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. molasses ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. nutritional yeast ⓘ
- 1 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/2 c. sunflower seeds ⓘ
- 1/4 c. sesame seed
- 1/2 c. plain yogurt ⓘ
- 1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce ⓘ
- 1/2 c. rolled oats ⓘ
- 4 c. flour ⓘ
- 4 c. whole wheat flour ⓘ
- 4 eggs ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon ⓘ
- 1 c. dark raisins ⓘ
- 1/2 c. chopped walnuts ⓘ
- 1 c. grated carrots ⓘ
Instructions
- Dissolve yeast and honey in lukewarm water and set aside until foamy.
- Heat hot milk with butter and pour into a large mixing bowl.
- Stir in honey, molasses, nutritional yeast, salt, yogurt, applesauce, and oats.
- Beat in 1 cup of flour, eggs, and the foamy yeast mixture.
- Add 1 more cup of flour, ground cinnamon, raisins, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, chopped walnuts, and grated carrots.
- Gradually add remaining flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Knead the dough for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Let the dough rise until doubled in size, approximately 1 hour.
- Punch down the dough and let it rise again until nearly doubled.
- Divide and shape the dough into 3 loaves.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40 minutes.
- Brush the tops of the loaves with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon.
- Bake for an additional 10 minutes until golden.
- Cool the loaves on racks before slicing.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter texture, consider using bread flour instead of all-purpose flour. If you don’t have nutritional yeast, you can omit it or use regular yeast instead. The addition of grated carrots not only adds moisture but also enhances the sweetness; feel free to substitute with zucchini for a different flavor. Make sure your yeast is fresh for the best rise.
Serving Suggestions
This raisin bread is delicious on its own but pairs beautifully with a smear of cream cheese or butter. It can also be enjoyed with a side of fresh fruit or a cup of tea. For a unique twist, try using it in French toast recipes or alongside Ellen'S Brownies for a delightful brunch spread.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover raisin bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, slice the bread and freeze it in freezer bags, where it can last for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply toast slices or warm the whole loaf in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of "Knock Your Socks Off" Raisin Bread contains roughly 3835 calories, with 98g protein, 584g carbohydrates, and 179g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (769% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and vitamin A (210% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of sweetener instead of honey?
Yes, you can substitute honey with maple syrup or agave nectar for a different flavor profile. Keep in mind that these alternatives may slightly alter the dough's texture and sweetness, so adjust the quantity to your taste.
Is it possible to make this recipe vegan?
Absolutely! To make it vegan, replace the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons of water per egg) and use non-dairy milk and yogurt. The butter can be substituted with coconut oil or any plant-based butter.
Can I add additional mix-ins to the bread?
Certainly! You can incorporate chopped dried fruits like apricots or cranberries, or even nuts like pecans or almonds. Just be sure to adjust the flour slightly if you add a significant amount of extra ingredients to maintain the right dough consistency.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).