Sweet Raisin Bread
Sweet Raisin Bread offers a soft, flavorful loaf with hints of cinnamon and juicy raisins, perfect for breakfast or tea time, appealing to bread lovers and home bakers alike.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Scald the milk.
- Add sugar, margarine, salt, and cinnamon to the milk and mix well.
- Allow the mixture to cool to lukewarm.
- Dissolve the yeast in lukewarm water and combine with the milk mixture.
- Add eggs and egg yolk; mix thoroughly.
- Gradually add some of the flour, then incorporate the raisins, followed by the remaining flour.
- Knead the bread dough on a floured surface until smooth and non-sticky.
- Add extra flour a little at a time if needed.
- Place the dough in a greased pan and cover with a towel.
- Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in size.
- Remove the dough from the pan and divide into loaves.
- Place the loaves in well-greased loaf pans.
- Cover and let rise again until doubled or just rising above the sides of the pans.
- Brush the tops of the loaves with beaten egg white.
- Bake until golden brown.
Tips & Substitutions
For best results, ensure your milk cools to lukewarm before adding the yeast to avoid killing it. If you don't have margarine, you can substitute with unsalted butter. If you prefer a healthier option, consider using whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose. To add a twist, try incorporating nuts or different dried fruits alongside the raisins.
Serving Suggestions
Sweet Raisin Bread is delightful on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a spread of butter or cream cheese. For a complete breakfast, serve it alongside a bowl of fresh fruit or a light lemon salad. You can also enjoy it with a cup of tea for a comforting afternoon snack.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover Sweet Raisin Bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap and place it in the freezer for up to three months. To reheat, simply thaw at room temperature and warm in the oven for a few minutes.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Sweet Raisin Bread contains roughly 322 calories, with 5g protein, 56g carbohydrates, and 10g fat. It is a good source of calcium (10% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 760mg per serving (33% 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 yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes, you can substitute fresh yeast for active dry yeast. Use about three times the amount of fresh yeast as dry yeast, and dissolve it in the lukewarm water along with the sugar before incorporating it into the milk mixture.
How can I tell when the dough has risen enough?
The dough is ready when it has doubled in size and feels puffy to the touch. You can gently press your finger into the dough; if the indentation remains, it has risen adequately. Make sure to keep it in a warm, draft-free area during the rising process.
What can I do if my bread is too dense?
If your Sweet Raisin Bread turns out dense, it may be due to over-kneading or not allowing enough time to rise. Ensure you knead just until smooth and elastic, and give the dough ample time to rise. Adding a bit more water can also help achieve a lighter texture.
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).