Raisin bread is perfect to serve at special occasions, holidays, or even just a weekday breakfast.
Raisin bread may be a bit unassuming, but it’s highly impressivewe promise.
Here in the South, it seems that the tastiest dishes have the greatest stories behind them.
Credit: Southern Living
Making any throw in ofhomemade breadrequires a genuine labor of love.
It’s an arduous process making the dough from scratch.
Then, you must knead it to guarantee that the dough will rise properly.
However, once the dough rises, you’re pretty much in the clear.
Just stick it in the oven and prepare the sugary glaze.
Learn how to make raisin bread, and share this special treatand its historywith friends and family.
Freeze for up to 3 months for longer storage.
Slice before freezing so you’ve got the option to grab a slice and toast when desired.
It also makes great French toast or cinnamon toast.
Heat milk, 1/2 cup water, and 1/4 cup butter in a saucepan to 120oF to 130oF.
Add to flour mixture; beat at medium speed with an electric mixer 2 minutes, scraping bowl often.
Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
Add 3/4 cup flour, 1 1/2 tsp.
salt, and 1 tsp.
vanilla; beat 2 minutes at high speed.
Toss together raisins and 1/4 cup flour; stir into dough.
Add enough remaining flour to make a soft dough.
Let dough rise:
Place in a lightly greased bowl, turning to grease top.
Punch dough down; let stand 15 minutes.
Place in 2 greased 8 1/2- x 4 1/2-inch loaf pans.
Bake bread:
Preheat oven to 375F.
Bake at 375oF for 25 minutes or until loaves sound hollow when tapped.
Cool in pans 10 minutes; transfer bread to wire racks.
Brush loaves with 2 Tbsp.
melted butter, and cool completely.
Prepare Glaze:
Stir together all ingredients in a small bowl until smooth.
Drizzle glaze over tops of loaves.
Whole wheat flour can add a nutty, complex flavor to bread.
Wait to add the raisins and fold in when shaping the dough for best results.
