Sweet Bread
Sweet bread offers a rich, tender crumb with a hint of sweetness and fruitiness from raisins. Its soft texture and aromatic flavor make it perfect for breakfast, snacks, or special occasions. This recipe yields multiple small loaves, ideal for sharing with family or gifting to friends.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix sugar, margarine, eggs, lemon and vanilla extract, and salt with hands.
- Add dissolved yeast in water to the mixture.
- If eggs are light yellow, add 1/4 teaspoon yellow food coloring.
- Add powdered milk and 2 cups of lukewarm water.
- Add flour a little at a time until the mixture is sticky.
- Add raisins to the dough.
- Add more flour until it stops sticking to fingers.
- Knead in the rest of the flour until the dough reaches a sponge texture.
- Let the dough rise for 1 hour. Knead in more flour if necessary.
- Allow the dough to rise until doubled in size.
- Place dough in greased bread pans, only filling as many as will fit in the oven.
- Let the dough rise for 40 to 45 minutes.
- After this time, place the remaining dough in other pans.
- When the dough reaches the top of the pans, bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 35 to 40 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using half butter and half margarine. If you don't have fresh yeast, active dry yeast can be substituted; use about 2 tablespoons. Ensure your water is lukewarm to activate the yeast properly. Adding spices like nutmeg or cinnamon can enhance the sweetness of the bread.
Serving Suggestions
Sweet bread can be enjoyed plain, or you can serve it with butter, jam, or cream cheese for added flavor. It pairs beautifully with Hawaiian Salad for a delightful brunch. This bread is perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert, and can be topped with fresh fruits for a vibrant presentation.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover sweet bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap slices individually in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply toast slices or warm them in the microwave for a few seconds.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Sweet Bread contains roughly 752 calories, with 6g protein, 72g carbohydrates, and 51g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (21% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber and iron. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 733mg per serving (32% 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 whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour for a healthier option, but the texture may be denser. You may need to adjust the liquid slightly since whole wheat flour absorbs more moisture.
How can I tell when the bread is fully baked?
To check if the bread is done, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, it's ready. The bread should also have a golden-brown color and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
What can I add to the dough for extra flavor?
You can add nuts, dried fruits, or chocolate chips to the dough for additional flavor and texture. For a tropical twist, consider incorporating coconut flakes or pineapple pieces.
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).