Raisin Bread
Description
This classic raisin bread is a delightful blend of comfort and sweetness, perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack. The dough is enriched with mashed potato, which adds moisture and a tender crumb, while the addition of cinnamon and cloves provides a warm, aromatic spice profile that pairs beautifully with the natural sweetness of the raisins. The result is a soft, slightly chewy loaf that is irresistible fresh from the oven. Ideal for sharing with family and friends, this bread pairs wonderfully with butter, jam, or a cup of coffee. It is a nostalgic treat that brings homemade warmth to any table.Ingredients
Directions
-
Peel the potato and boil it in 1 quart of water until tender. Drain, reserving the cooking water, and mash the potato thoroughly.
-
In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in 1 cup of lukewarm water with a pinch of sugar. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
-
In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed potato, reserved potato water, yeast mixture, remaining sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and softened butter.
-
Gradually add flour to the wet ingredients, mixing until a smooth batter forms. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 4 hours, or until doubled in size.
-
Stir down the risen batter. Add the raisins and enough additional flour to form a soft, pliable dough. Knead gently, adding flour sparingly to avoid a stiff dough.
-
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 2 hours, or until doubled in bulk.
-
Punch down the dough and shape into loaves. Place in greased bread pans and let rise until light and puffy, about 45-60 minutes.
-
Preheat oven to 400&# 194;°F (200ðC). Bake the bread for 30 to 40 minutes, or until golden brown and firm to the touch.
-
Remove from pans and cool on wire racks before slicing.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 1
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 284.5kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 3.1g5%
- Saturated Fat 1.9g10%
- Cholesterol 8.1mg3%
- Sodium 26.5mg2%
- Total Carbohydrate 66.3g23%
- Dietary Fiber 1.9g8%
- Sugars 60.3g
- Protein 0.6g2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
The potato adds moisture and tenderness to the bread. Ensure the potato water is reduced if necessary so the dough does not become too sticky.
Do not over-knead the dough after adding the raisins, as the dough should remain soft and slightly sticky. If it becomes too stiff, add a spoonful of warm water.
For a stronger spice flavor, you can increase the amount of cinnamon or add a pinch of nutmeg.
Store cooled bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer storage.
raisin bread, potato bread, spiced bread, homemade bread, cinnamon raisin, yeast bread, breakfast bread, snack bread, soft bread, sweet bread, baking, yeast, flour, raisins, cinnamon, cloves, potato, vegetarian, comfort food
