Raisin Cinnamon Swirl Bread

When the weather is nasty and cold and windy, sometimes it just seems like a good idea to sit down with a great big cup of coffee and a little something to "go with" the coffee.  This is how Minnesotans manage through the winter, ya know!  We look at the weather through the window and exclaim how bad it is out there, and how nice it is inside!  At times like these, here is a good recipe for that "something to go with" the coffee - Raisin Cinnamon Swirl Bread.   (If you don't like raisins, you can certainly eliminate them in this recipe!)  I make this bread often, and on occasion I sell it at our market stand - it never lasts more than 10 minutes.   The recipe makes 4 nice sized 8 x 4 loaves.   You can put 1 or 2 in the freezer for later, keep 1 or 2 for yourself, and have 1 to give away to a friend. 

RAISIN CINNAMON SWIRL BREAD

2 pkgs (or 2 T.) dry yeast

1/2 c. warm water

1/2 tsp. sugar

     Put this together in a small bowl to proof. 

Meanwhile in a large bowl: 

1 1/2 c. milk

1/4 c. sugar

1/2 stick of butter or margarine

2 tsp. salt

     Combine and scald in the microwave for 3 minutes, until the butter melts.   Mix up everything good.    When it cools down, add: 

3 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Flour until you have a dough you can knead (about 5 c.)

     Knead in about 2 cups of raisins if you are using them, and continue to add flour and knead until the dough is soft and elastic.   As with all sweet breads, don't overwork the dough.  Knead just until things are combined nicely and the dough springs back when you poke a finger in it.   Place in a greased bowl, cover and let rise until doubled. 

     Meanwhile, make the filling: 

1/2 c. sugar

2 tsp. cinnamon

Stir to combine and set aside. 

    When double, punch down and divide into 4 equal parts.   Roll out each part into about an 8 x 12 size, brush with water (use water, not more butter) and sprinkle with one fourth of the mixture of sugar and cinnamon.  Roll up and seal edge and put into a greased 8 x 4 loaf pan.  Do every part like this.   Cover and let rise until double, and then bake at 375 for 40 minutes.  Immediately take out of pans, and brush with melted butter if you like, but this is optional. 

Each part of dough is rolled out to about 8 x 12 inches, brushed with water and sprinkled with a mix of sugar and cinnamon. 

The four loaves of bread ready for the second rising.

The finished product! Slice it thick and don't forget the butter!

When the loaves are cool enough to slice, call your friends over - they will be happy you invited them.   And they will ask where that 'extra loaf that is supposed to be for friends' is located!