Cinnamon Raisin Bread
Serves: 40
Yield: 2 loaves (40 slices)
Joan Hutter, Warnick, Rhode Island
Sent to us by Kelly Miller
2 (1/4-ounce) packages active dry yeast
1/3 cup warm water (110° - 115°)
5-1/2 to 6 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup warm milk (110° - 115°)
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup sugar
6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
FILLING:
1-1/3 cups light raisins
1-1/3 cups dark raisins
1 cup water
1/3 cup apple juice or cider
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 egg, beaten
In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in water; let stand for 5 minutes. Add 2 cups flour, milk, eggs, sugar, butter and salt. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured board; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, bring first five filling ingredients to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until almost all the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat; set aside. Punch dough down and knead 1 minute. Place in same greased bowl; cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch the dough down a second time and knead for 1 minute. Divide in half. Roll each half into a 12-in. x 8-in. rectangle; brush with egg. Spread half of filling over each rectangle to within 1/2 in. of edges. Roll up jelly roll fashion; pinch to seal. Place each loaf, seam side down, in a greased 9-in. x 5-in. x 3-in. loaf pan. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes. Cover loosely with foil if top browns too quickly. Remove from pans to cool on a wire rack.