Cinnamon Raisin Bread

 Yummy!   I love lots of cinnamon in my bread.  This bread is light and tasty.   I like with our without the glaze.    This bread makes awesome french toast.  

CINNAMON RAISIN BREAD

(makes 2 loafs)

Bread Ingredients:

*2 cups whole milk 

*1/2 cup butter

*1/4 cup honey or granulated sugar

*1 tablespoon active dry yeast

*4 eggs

*7 cups flour

*1 teaspoon salt

*1 cup dark raisins

*flour for kneading

Filling Ingredients:

*2 tablespoons butter, melted

*2/3 cup light brown sugar

*3 tablespoon ground cinnamon

*1 egg

*1/2 teaspoon water

Cinnamon Icing Ingredients (optional)

*2 tablespoons butter

*2 tablespoons honey or granulated sugar

*1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 

*2 cups powered sugar

*2-3 tablespoons heavy cream, half & half, or whole milk

Bread Directions:

~Soak 1 cup raisins in water overnight or simmer in water over low heat for 15 minutes.

~Drain and pat dry with a paper towel

~Grease two bread pans.

~In a small saucepan, over medium heat 2 cups milk and 1/2 cup butter until warm and butter is almost melted (just warm not hot).

~Add 1/4 cup honey (or granulated sugar) and stir until mixed well

~Add mixture to a large mixing bowl.

~Sprinkle 1tablespoon yeast over mixture.

~Allow to sit for 5 minutes.

~Add 2 cups flour and 1 teaspoon salt, stir until mixed.

~Add 4 eggs and mix until well incorporated.

~Add in remaining 5 cups of flour.

~Knead dough until dough is smooth and elastic  6-8 minutes if using a mixer.  10-15 minutes if kneading by hand (add up to 1/2 cup of flour if needed).

~Add raisins and knead until raisins are mixed in.

~Place dough in a large greased bowl and cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap.

~Rise for 1 1/2 - 2 hours until dough is doubled.

~Remove dough from bowl and divide in two.

~Roll dough out into a rectangle (no longer than your bread pan) on a lightly floured surface.

Filling Directions:

~Using a pastry brush, spread 2 tablespoons melted butter over dough (1 tablespoon per loaf)

~Mix 2/3 cup brown sugar and 3 tablespoons cinnamon together.  

~Sprinkle brown sugar mixture evenly over melted butter.

~Roll up dough lengthwise.

~Place in prepared pans.

~Cover with a clean damp towel and let rise for one hour.

~Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

~Place bread pans into a lager pan.

~Beat 1 egg and 1/2 teaspoon water together and gently brush over tops of the dough.

~Put pan into oven and pour 1 cup of water into the large pan (not the bread pan) (this is optional, but it   makes for a moister bread and more even heat).

~Bake for 45-50 minutes or until they are a golden brown and have a hollow sound when thumped.

~Remove from bread pans and cool on a cooling rack.

Icing Directions:

~Melt 2 tablespoons butter and honey together.

~1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

~Whisk in 2 cups sifted powdered sugar.

~Whisk in 2-3 heavy cream, half & half, or milk.

~Whisk until mixture is smooth and creamy (mixture should be thick)

~Spread on cooled bread