Braided Raisin Bread

Braided Raisin Bread …….smelling delicious when it is baking in your oven, and tastes even better on your breakfast table with dollops of butter. Enjoy 🙂 ~ Kamakshi

Prep Time : 3 hrs                                                                               Cook Time : 45 mins
Yields : 2 Loaves

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 Cup Raisins
  • 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
  • 500 gms All Purpose Flour (Maida)
  • 3 tsp Active Dry Yeast
  • 2 tsp Sugar
  • 1 tsp Cinnamon Powder
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 cup Vegetable Oil
  • 1 cup Milk
  • 2 Eggs
METHOD
  • Soak the raisins in hot water for about 10-15 mins till it become plump and then drain the water.
  • In a small bowl, mix the yeast and 2 tbsp sugar and dissolve it with 5 tbsp luke warm water ( should not be hot water) . Mix well and keep it aside for about 5 mins till it becomes frothy.
  • In a big mixing bowl, add the flour, brown sugar, 1 tsp salt , oil , cinnamon powder and raisin and mix well. Then add one beaten egg and the yeast mixture.Gradually add the milk and make a loosely packed dough.On a lightly floured surface, take the dough and knead it with your hands until the dough becomes soft and supple. Knead for about 5-6 mins. The dough should be soft but should not stick to your hands.
  • Take a big bowl, add 1/2 tsp of oil and put the dough and make sure it is coated with oil so that it does not dry out. Cover it with a plastic wrap and let it sit at room temperature for about 2 hours, till the dough nearly doubles in size.

Punch down the dough with your fist and knead for couple of mins. Divide the dough into halves. Then cut each half into 3 pieces and roll each piece into a long rope.

Braid together 3 ropes to form a braided loaf and tuck the end under.

Transfer the braided loaves into a slightly greased baking tray. Arrange each loaf about 4 inches apart. Set it aside in a warm place for another 30-40 mins, for it to rise. Meanwhile, pre-heat the oven to 190 degrees Celsius. After the loaves have risen, brush the loaves with egg wash ( 1 egg beaten with a tbsp of water), sprinkle coarse sugar all over the loaves and bake in the middle rack of the oven for 40-45 mins until it is golden brown. Transfer to a rack to cool.

Note : Bread can be made 2 days ahead and kept, wrapped well, at room temperature or frozen 1 month.