Homemade Cinnamon Raisin Bread

Follow our step-by-step guide on how to make Homemade Cinnamon Raisin Bread.

1. Step 1

   To start your delicious bread-making journey, grab a small saucepan and gently warm 1 1/2 cups of milk over medium heat until you see bubbles forming.

2. Step 2

   Once that happens, take it off the heat and let it cool down to a lukewarm temperature.

3. Step 3

   Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of warm water with the yeast and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy and bubbly—this is the magic moment when your yeast comes to life! Next, stir in the raisins, eggs, 1/2 cup of sugar, softened margarine, and a pinch of salt, mixing everything together until it’s well combined.

4. Step 4

   Now, pour in the cooled milk and give it another good stir.

5. Step 5

   Gradually add flour to the mixture, working it in until you have a stiff dough that holds together nicely.

6. Step 6

   Once your dough is ready, transfer it to a lightly floured surface and knead it for a few minutes, allowing it to develop a lovely texture.

7. Step 7

   Place the kneaded dough into a greased bowl, turning it to coat all sides.

8. Step 8

   Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size—this should take about an hour, so you can take a moment to relax or prepare your baking pans.

9. Step 9

   Speaking of which, grease three 9x5-inch loaf pans and set them aside, ready for your beautiful loaves.

10. Step 10

    After the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release the air, then roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a large rectangle, about 1/2-inch thick.

11. Step 11

    To add a touch of sweetness, moisten the surface of the dough with 2 tablespoons of milk.

12. Step 12

    In a small bowl, mix the remaining 3/4 cup of sugar with ground cinnamon, and sprinkle this delightful mixture generously over the moistened dough.

13. Step 13

    Now comes the fun part: roll the dough tightly into a log, aiming for about 3 inches in diameter.

14. Step 14

    Once you have your log, cut it into thirds and tuck the ends under to shape them into loaves.

15. Step 15

    Place these beautiful loaves into your prepared pans and give the tops a light greasing.

16. Step 16

    Cover them again and let them rise for another hour, allowing the dough to puff up and get ready for baking.

17. Step 17

    While your loaves are rising, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

18. Step 18

    When the time is right, bake the loaves in the preheated oven until they turn a lovely golden brown and sound hollow when tapped—this should take about 45 minutes.

19. Step 19

    Once they’re done, carefully remove them from the pans and brush the tops with melted butter for that irresistible shine.

20. Step 20

    Let them cool on a wire rack before slicing into your warm, fragrant bread.

21. Step 21

    Enjoy every bite of your homemade creation!.