Leeanne'S Raisin Bread
A hearty raisin bread with sweet, cinnamon-spiced flavor and tender texture, perfect for breakfast or snack, appealing to bread lovers and those craving a fruity treat.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a small glass bowl, put raisins and water.
- Microwave to a boil.
- Let stand 5 to 10 minutes.
- Drain raisins, retaining 2 cups of the soaking water.
- In a large bowl, whisk together water, honey, milk, melted butter, eggs, yeast, and cinnamon.
- Mix well until smooth.
- Add 2 cups of flour, whisk again until all lumps are gone.
- Let this sponge stage stand 10 to 15 minutes.
- Add raisins and 3 cups of flour one at a time, folding gently to avoid tearing the raisins.
- Gently knead in the remaining flour.
- In a large mixing bowl, pour enough oil to generously grease the bottom and sides of the bowl.
- Put the dough ball smooth side down in the bowl.
- Swirl the dough in the oil and then flip the ball over.
- Let stand until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and knead out all air bubbles.
- Shape into 2 loaves and place in greased loaf pans.
- Pinch off all exposed raisins.
- Let the dough double in size again.
- Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until deep golden brown.
- Remove from pans after 5 minutes and place on racks.
- Lightly grease the entire crust of the bread with margarine to prevent drying out.
- Allow to cool completely before bagging.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider incorporating chopped walnuts or pecans into the dough along with the raisins. If you don't have instant dry milk, you can substitute with an equal amount of regular milk, just be mindful of the liquid balance. To achieve a softer crust, brush the loaves with melted butter immediately after baking. This recipe is perfect for using up extra raisins, making it a great option for American recipes.
Serving Suggestions
Leeanne's Raisin Bread is delightful on its own, but also pairs beautifully with a spread of cream cheese or butter. For a hearty breakfast, serve it alongside scrambled eggs or with a cup of coffee. This bread can also be used for French toast, making it a versatile choice for any meal. Consider serving it with Barb's Parsley Potato Casserole for a comforting dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Once completely cooled, store the raisin bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, wrap in plastic wrap and freeze for up to three months. To reheat, simply slice and warm in a toaster or microwave for a few seconds until slightly warm, ensuring the bread retains its moisture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Leeanne'S Raisin Bread contains roughly 3518 calories, with 50g protein, 730g carbohydrates, and 54g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (102% of the Daily Value), protein (100% of the Daily Value), and calcium (78% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1384mg per serving (60% 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 fresh grapes instead of raisins?
While fresh grapes can be a tempting alternative, they won't have the same concentrated sweetness or texture as raisins. If you prefer fresh fruit, consider adding them to the dough as a mix-in, but be aware that this may require adjustments to the moisture content in the recipe.
How can I make the bread sweeter?
If you prefer a sweeter bread, you can increase the honey by a couple of tablespoons. Additionally, consider adding a sprinkle of sugar on top before baking for a sweet crust. This can enhance the overall flavor profile, making it a lovely treat for breakfast or dessert.
What if I don't have RapidRise yeast?
If you don't have RapidRise yeast, you can use active dry yeast instead. Simply dissolve it in warm water with a pinch of sugar and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until frothy before adding it to the other ingredients. The rise time may be slightly longer, so be patient!
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).