Best 2 Hearty Raisin Bread Recipes

Are you craving a sweet and hearty bread that will tantalize your taste buds and fill your home with the warm, inviting aroma of freshly baked goodness? Look no further than the classic and comforting hearty raisin bread. This delectable treat is known for its soft and fluffy texture, studded with plump and juicy raisins that add a burst of natural sweetness. Whether you're enjoying a slice as a grab-and-go breakfast, an afternoon snack, or as part of a special occasion brunch, this versatile bread promises to be a crowd-pleaser that will make your taste buds dance with joy.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

THE BOY WITH THE BREAD: HEARTY RAISIN NUT BREAD

The Boy With The Bread: Hearty Raisin Nut Bread image

Provided by Emily Ansara Baines

Categories Bread Nut Breakfast Brunch Bake Fall Winter Vegetarian Pescatarian Peanut Free Soy Free Kosher

Yield 2 large loaves

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

1 (.25-ounce) package or 5 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (110°F)
1 1/2 cups warm milk (110°F)
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
1/3 cup honey
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons white sugar
2 eggs
3 cups whole wheat flour
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups raisins
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 egg white
2 tablespoons cold water

Steps:

1. In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in the warm water until foamy, about 5 minutes. Add the milk, butter, honey, salt, cinnamon, sugar, eggs, and whole wheat flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough all-purpose flour to form a soft dough.
2. Place raisins in a bowl of tepid tap water. Let soak until needed.
3. Turn dough out onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to coat. Cover with a damp towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
4. Grease two 8.5" x 4.5" loaf pans.
5. Punch dough down. Turn out onto the lightly floured surface; sprinkle with raisins and walnuts and knead them in. Divide dough in half.
6. Roll dough into loaves, keeping raisins folded inside.
7. Place loaves into greased loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about one hour.
8. Preheat oven to 375°F.
9. Beat egg white and cold water; brush over loaves.
10. Bake at 375°F for 40 minutes or until golden brown. If top browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil for the last 15 minutes.
11. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

HEARTY RAISIN BREAD

Hearty Raisin Bread image

Although I just recently moved to the country, I love from-scratch cooking, and baking bread is a favorite pastime. This rich bread has a delectable cinnamon flavor and is loaded with raisins.

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 55m

Yield 2 loaves (16 slices each).

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
1-1/2 cups warm milk (110° to 115°)
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup honey
2 teaspoons salt
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 eggs
3 cups whole wheat flour
3-1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups raisins
1 egg white
2 tablespoons cold water

Steps:

In a bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the milk, butter, honey, salt, cinnamon, eggs and whole wheat flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough all-purpose flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes. , Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. , Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; sprinkle with raisins and knead in. Divide in half. Shape into loaves. Place in two greased 9x5-in. loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes. , Beat egg white and cold water; brush over dough. Bake at 375° for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and bread sounds hollow when tapped. Cover loosely with foil if top browns too quickly. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 161 calories, Fat 4g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 23mg cholesterol, Sodium 190mg sodium, Carbohydrate 29g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

Tips:

Use active dry yeast that is not expired. Make sure to check the expiration date before using.
Proof the yeast in warm water with a little sugar before adding it to the other ingredients. This will help to activate the yeast and ensure that the bread rises properly.
Use fresh raisins. Dried-out raisins can make the bread tough.
Soak the raisins in hot water for 10 minutes before adding them to the bread. This will help to plump them up and make them softer.
Don't overmix the dough. Overmixing can make the bread tough.
Let the bread rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size. This will typically take about 1-2 hours.
Bake the bread in a preheated oven until it is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Conclusion:

Raisin bread is a delicious and versatile bread that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is also a great way to use up leftover raisins. With a little planning and effort, you can easily make raisin bread at home. Just follow the tips above and you'll be sure to end up with a loaf of raisin bread that is both delicious and beautiful.