Cinnamon Raisin Bread

My family loves homemade cinnamon raisin bread. Well, actually me and my hubby are the ones who like the raisins in it and the kids don't. They love raisins, just not in their bread.

I make a loaf for them and one for us. It's so easy!

For the bread recipe I use:
2 1/4 tsp of yeast
1 1/4 cup of warm water
1 egg
3 tbs. of olive oil you could use butter too.
3 1/2 cups of all purpose flour + more to keeping your hands from sticking to the dough
1/2 cup of sugar
2tbs. of sugar
1/2 tsp. of salt

For the cinnamon filling I use:
brown sugar
cinnamon
raisins (optional)
butter or non dairy spread

In a small glass bowl proof the yeast. Add the yeast, 2 tbs. of sugar and 1/4 cup of the warm water. Whisk it gently, just enough to mix it up. Let it sit for 5 -10 minutes.

In a large bowl add the rest of the sugar, egg, salt, flour, and olive oil. Don't mix it yet. When the yeast has risen add that to the large bowl along with the rest of the warm water. Now mix it all together. Flour you hands as needed and keep kneading the dough. Look here for step by step pictures on bread making.

You will cover your dough and let it rise till it's double in size. Once your dough is risen, punch it down, flour your hands and knead the dough into a ball. Divide it into two pieces.

Roll the dough out onto a floured surface. Melt about 1 tbs. of butter and brush it on the dough.

Sprinkle liberally with brown sugar, cinnamon, and raisins.

Roll your dough up tightly if you can. The tighter the better.

Once it's completely rolled up place it in a greased loaf pan. Tuck the ends under a little bit.

Cover with a dish towel and let it rise till doubled in size. This should take about 45 minutes to an hour and a half.

Put it in the oven for 400 degrees for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

We wait, oh, all of about 5 minutes before cutting it, and buttering it, and wolfing it down.

IF this lasts till the next day you can toast it for breakfast....but that usually doesn't happen around here.

"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." John 6:35