Molasses Raisin Bread

*Pixie*'s Note:

This is an old recipe that I have scaled down for use with a bread machine(to make the dough only). Called Lassy Bread in Newfoundland, it is sweet with molasses and chock full of raisins. Best served warm or toasted with butter. Note: Edited to correct errors - thanks to reviewer

• Total Time: 3 hrs 25 mins
• Prep Time: 2 hrs 40 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 12

Yield: 1.0 loaf

• ½ cup warm water
• ½ cup milk , warm but not hot
• ¼ cup molasses
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 egg , beaten
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup golden seedless raisins

Directions:

1. Add all the ingredients except the raisins to the breadmaker and run on the dough cycle, for my breadmaker this is the order given and the dough cycle lasts 90 minutes. Note: I like to mix the warm water, milk and molasses and "proof" the yeast in it for about 10 minutes before adding the remaining ingredients.
2. When the dough cycle has finished start it again, and add the raisins, let it run for 5 to 10 minutes to mix all the raisins in and then stop it.
3. Make dough into a smooth loaf and place in a greased 9" x 5" loaf pan.
4. Cover with plastic wrap and let raise until doubled.
5. Bake in a preheated 350F oven about 35-45 minutes, loaf should be golden and sound hollow when tapped.

Reviews

[dharmamom]

Forgot to say that I used butter instead of vegetable oil because I ran out!

[barrdbarrbarr]

This came out perfectly! My mother makes the original version (from The Cream of the West Cookbook, I think). My DH and I were thrilled to find a bread machine version and it did not disappoint! We used the recipe measurements precisely. petlover - with respect, take it from someone who has had this bread in her mom's kitchen many times - this bread is not supposed to be tall, light and fluffy. It is best slightly dense, slightly moist, and toasted!

[petlover]

I think that a Tb of cinnamon is too much --it overpowered the recipe. The bread did not rise very well either. I am going to try this again with less cinnamon and a bit more yeast. Nonetheless the bread smelled wonderful while baking .