The Ultimate Cinnamon Raisin Bread Recipe: A Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Perfection
Are you ready to bake the most delicious, comforting, and aromatic cinnamon raisin bread? This recipe will guide you through each step, ensuring a perfect loaf every time. We'll focus on achieving that perfect balance of spice, sweetness, and chewy texture that makes this bread so irresistible. Get ready to fill your kitchen with the warm, inviting scent of freshly baked bread!
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe yields two standard loaves.
For the Dough:
- 1 cup warm milk (105-115°F)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 cup raisins
For the Cinnamon Filling:
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Step-by-Step Baking Instructions:
Getting Started: Activating the Yeast
- Bloom the Yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy. This step ensures your yeast is active and ready to work its magic!
Mixing the Dough:
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Add Wet Ingredients: Add the egg, salt, and melted butter to the yeast mixture. Whisk until well combined.
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Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour, one cup at a time, mixing with a wooden spoon or a stand mixer with a dough hook until a shaggy dough forms.
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Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, until smooth and elastic. If using a stand mixer, knead with the dough hook for 5-7 minutes. This develops the gluten, resulting in a softer, more tender crumb.
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Add Raisins: Gently fold in the raisins.
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First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
Preparing the Filling and Shaping the Loaves:
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Make the Filling: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour. Mix well.
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Punch Down and Shape: Gently punch down the risen dough to release the air. Divide the dough in half.
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Roll and Spread: On a lightly floured surface, roll each half into a 12x8 inch rectangle. Evenly spread half of the cinnamon filling over each rectangle.
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Roll and Cut: Tightly roll each rectangle up, starting from the long side. Cut each roll in half.
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Place in Pans: Place the rolls in two greased 9x5 inch loaf pans.
Second Rise and Baking:
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Second Rise: Cover the pans loosely with plastic wrap and let rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until almost doubled in size.
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Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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Cool: Let the loaves cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for Cinnamon Raisin Bread Success:
- Use quality ingredients: Fresh yeast makes a difference!
- Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing can lead to a tough bread.
- Let the dough rise properly: Adequate rising time is crucial for a light and fluffy texture.
- Check for doneness: Use a toothpick to ensure the bread is fully baked.
- Cool completely before slicing: This allows the bread to set properly.
Enjoy Your Homemade Cinnamon Raisin Bread!
This recipe provides a wonderful base. Feel free to experiment with different types of raisins (golden raisins, for example), add nuts, or adjust the amount of cinnamon to your liking. Enjoy the delicious aroma and the satisfaction of baking your own perfect loaf of cinnamon raisin bread!