Raisin Bread III

Raisins in all their glory can stand alone in this white yeast bread, or you can add citrus zest to further seduce your taste buds. For variation, try prunes or nuts instead of raisins.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 50 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins
• Calories: 172 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 6 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups raisins
• 2 cups milk
• 1 ½ tablespoons shortening
• 2 ½ teaspoons salt
• ¼ cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Scald milk.

Step 2

Soften yeast in warm water; let stand 5 minutes.

Step 3

Pour scalded milk over sugar, shortening, and salt in a bowl. When lukewarm, blend in raisins and 1 cup flour.

Step 4

Stir in yeast and beat well. Add 3 cups flour, continue beating until smooth. Beat in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Turn on lightly floured surface; let rest about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Knead until smooth and elastic. Place dough in a greased bowl; turn to bring greased surface to top. Cover, let stand in warm place until dough is doubled, about 1 hour.

Step 6

Punch down, cover, and let rise again until almost doubled in bulk.

Step 7

Turn on lightly floured surface. Divide dough in half; let rest 5 to 10 minutes.

Step 8

Shape into loaves. Place in 2 greased loaf pans 9 1/2 x 5 1/4 x 2 3/4 inches. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.

Step 9

Bake in a 400 degree F (205 degrees C) oven for about 50 minutes.