Description
A soft, sweet, and warmly spiced cinnamon raisin bread that fills your home with cozy fall aromas. Perfect toasted for breakfast or turned into French toast on the weekend.
Ingredients
- For the Dough:
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2¼ tsp) instant dry yeast
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup warm milk (around 110°F)
- ¼ cup neutral oil or melted butter
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- For the Filling:
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp flour
- 1 cup raisins (soaked in warm water 10 minutes, drained)
- 1 tbsp melted butter for brushing
Instructions
- Make the Dough: In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. In another bowl, whisk warm milk, oil, egg, and vanilla. Pour the wet mixture into the dry and stir to form a shaggy dough.
- Knead by hand or mixer (dough hook) for about 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Add a little flour if it’s too sticky.
- Let it Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl. Cover with a towel or wrap and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1–1½ hours, or until doubled.
- Prepare the Filling: Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour in a bowl. Set aside the soaked and drained raisins.
- Shape the Loaf: Roll dough into a rectangle (roughly 9×14 inches). Brush with melted butter, then sprinkle the cinnamon mixture and raisins evenly across the surface.
- Roll and Second Rise: Roll the dough tightly from the short side. Pinch the seams and place the loaf seam-side down in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan. Let it rise for another 30–45 minutes.
- Bake the Bread: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the bread for 35–40 minutes until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped. Cover loosely with foil if browning too quickly.
- Cool and Slice: Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack. Slice when fully cooled for neat layers.
Notes
Check your yeast—it may be inactive if the dough doesn’t rise. Soak raisins to keep them plump. Roll evenly for a consistent swirl. Use a thermometer to check for doneness (190–195°F internal temp).
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American