Raisin Bread

Raisin bread may be a bit unassuming, but it's highly impressive—we promise.

Here in the South, it seems that the tastiest dishes have the greatest stories behind them. In 1734, the Salzburgers of Bavaria, escaping religious persecution, settled about 25 miles outside Savannah, Georgia, at the invitation of General Oglethorpe. Few reminders of their brave presence remain, but this special-occasion bread or kugelhof is a wonderful example of the diversity of our Southern foodways.

Making any type of homemade bread requires 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. Pull it fresh out of the oven and brush it with butter, then drizzle the glaze graciously over the warm loaf.

As the aroma fills the house, cut in and serve alongside ice cream at dessert or fresh fruit at brunch. This sweet raisin bread recipe is perfect to serve at special occasions, holidays, or even as a dish to welcome your new neighbors.

Learn how to make raisin bread, and share this special treat—and its history—with friends and family.

Ingredients for Raisin Bread

With pantry staples like flour, sugar, milk, water, butter, and eggs making up the bulk of the recipe, you probably have most, or all of these ingredients, already on hand. To make raisin bread, you'll need:

• All-purpose flour: The base of the bread dough for a hearty but tender crumb.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough.
• Active dry yeast: Gives the bread its rise. Can be substituted with instant yeast if needed.
• Milk: For a tender crumb.
• Water: Helps hydrate the dough.
• Butter: Worked into the dough and brushed over the warm loaves to add richness and flavor.
• Large eggs: Binds and gives the bread its structure.
• Kosher salt: Enhances the flavor of the bread.
• Vanilla extract: For an aromatic depth.
• Raisins: Whether golden or dark, raisins are kneaded into the dough for a sweet touch.
• Powdered sugar: The base of the sweet glaze drizzled over the loaf.
• Almond extract: Adds a nutty flavor that complements the raisins in the loaf.
  

How To Make Raisin Bread

Whether you're working with a hand mixer or stand mixer, this bread dough can be quickly kneaded until smooth and made into 2 separate loaves to enjoy. Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started:

• Step 1. Make bread dough: Combine 1 1/4 cups flour, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Heat milk, water, and butter in a saucepan and add into flour mixture. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time. Add 3/4 cup flour, salt, and vanilla; beat to combine. Toss together raisins and 1/4 cup flour; stir into dough. Add enough remaining flour to make a soft dough.
• Step 2. Knead dough: Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, about 5 minutes.
• Step 3. Let dough rise: Place in a lightly greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover and let rise 1 1/2 hours or until doubled in bulk. Punch dough down; let stand 15 minutes.
• Step 4. Transfer loaves to pans: Divide dough in half; shape each into an 8-inch loaf. Place each loaf into a loaf pan. Cover and let rise 30 minutes or until doubled in bulk.
• Step 5. Bake bread: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake loaves for 25 minutes or until they sound hollow when tapped. Cool in pans 10 minutes then transfer to a wire rack. Brush loaves with melted butter and cool.
• Step 6. Prepare glaze: Stir together all ingredients until smooth. Drizzle over loaves.

Raisin Bread Variations

To add some zest (pun intended) to this sweet raisin bread, give some of these variations a try:

• Spices: Sprinkle ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, chai spice, or any other favorite spices over the dough before shaping.
• Zest: Add lemon or orange zest for a citrusy kick.
• Whole wheat: Substitute part of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nutty, hearty flavor.
• Flavor the glaze: Swap the milk for lemon juice or maple syrup, or substitute 1/2 tablespoon with rum or bourbon for a boozy kick.
• Plump the raisins: Soak the raisins in hot water or fruit juice, with a splash of rum if desired, to plump them up before using. Drain and dry before adding to the dough.
• Nuts: Add walnuts, sliced almonds, or pecans into the dough before shaping or sprinkle over the glaze for a nutty crunch.
• Chocolate chips: For a decadent touch, mix mini or standard chocolate chips into the dough along with the raisins.

Tips for the Best Raisin Bread

When making bread at home, simple errors can take your loaf in the wrong direction. Consider these tips for excellent results every time:

• Weigh your ingredients: If you have a kitchen scale, weigh your dry ingredients for consistent results every time. If not, spoon and level to make sure you're measuring accurately.
• If using a stand mixer: Opt to use your dough hook when preparing the dough for a hands-off way to knead until smooth.
• Ignore the clock: Note that yeasted doughs take longer to rise in cooler temperatures and can surprise you with how quickly they rise in warmer months. Look for the dough to double in volume before proceeding to the next step, no matter what the clock says.
• Place seam side down: Transfer loaves into pans seam sides down for the smoothest tops.
• Bake until golden: The loaves should be golden brown and hollow when tapped when they're ready. If in doubt, take the internal temperature; it should register at least 190°F.
• Glaze after cooling: To avoid having the glaze run off or soak into the cake, glaze once the loaves have cooled for at least 10 minutes, if not more.
  

How To Store Raisin Bread

Wrap and store raisin bread at room temperature for up to 3 days. Freeze for up to 3 months for longer storage. Slice before freezing so you can grab a slice and toast when desired.

What To Serve with Raisin Bread

Raisin bread isn't just delicious toasted and slathered with butter or jam. It also makes great French toast or cinnamon toast. Top with cream cheese, a drizzle of honey, nut butters, cheese, cottage cheese, and more for a delicious breakfast—with tea or coffee alongside—or as a sweet midday pick-me-up.

More Sweet Bread Recipes You'll Love

If you love sweet breads, these apple, cherry, citrus, and even chocolate bread recipes are sure to please:

• Apple Cinnamon Bread
• Cherry-Pecan Swirl Bread
• Cinnamon Sugar Pull-Apart Bread
• Citrus Pull-Apart Bread
• Chocolate Breakfast Wreath
• Praline Pull-Apart Bread
• Cherry-Pecan Swirl Bread

Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse.