Raisin-Nut Bread
A hearty raisin-nut bread with crunchy walnuts and sweet raisins, perfect for breakfast or snacks, offering a moist texture and rich flavor that appeals to all ages.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix chopped walnuts, raisins, baking soda, and salt with a fork.
- Add shortening and boiling water to the mixture.
- Let stand for 20 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Add eggs, vanilla extract, sugar, and sifted all-purpose flour to the mixture, mixing only to blend.
- Pour the batter into a greased and floured loaf pan.
- Bake for 1 hour.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider toasting the walnuts before adding them to the mix. If you don’t have shortening, you can substitute with an equal amount of unsalted butter or coconut oil. This recipe is adaptable; you can swap the walnuts for pecans or even add in some chocolate chips for a different twist. Make sure your baking soda is fresh for optimal rise.
Serving Suggestions
This Raisin-Nut Bread is delicious on its own, but you can elevate it by serving it warm with a pat of butter or cream cheese. It pairs beautifully with a cup of tea or coffee for breakfast or an afternoon snack. For a twist, serve alongside a slice of Aunt Catherine'S Cracker Pudding for dessert or as part of a brunch spread with other American recipes.
Storage & Reheating
Once baked, let the Raisin-Nut Bread cool completely before storing it. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to keep it moist, and store it at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, slice the bread and freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw slices as needed for quick snacks.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Raisin-Nut Bread contains roughly 870 calories, with 14g protein, 115g carbohydrates, and 45g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (28% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (28% of the Daily Value), and potassium (23% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. 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
How can I tell when the bread is done baking?
To check if your Raisin-Nut Bread is done, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean or with a few crumbs attached, it's ready. If there's wet batter on the toothpick, give it more time in the oven, checking every 5 minutes.
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).