Cinnamon Raisin LoafI developed this loaf to bake at Easter or as a weekend loaf – it keeps better if sliced and frozen as it doesn't have any additives to keep it fresh like the commercial types.
Ingredients3 cups high-grade flour
1 tablespoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon salt ¾ cup wholemeal flour ¾ cup raisins ¾ cup rolled oats 1½ cups warm water 1 tablespoon liquid honey, plus 2 teaspoons 1 tablespoon instant active yeast, plus 1 teaspoon 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus 2 teaspoons trim milk, to glaze olive oil, to grease MethodStep 1
Preheat oven to 200ºC. In a bowl sift high-grade flour with spice and salt. Stir in wholemeal flour. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl place oats. Cover with warm water, honey and sprinkle over yeast. Leave for 10 minutes or until frothy. In a small bowl place raisins and cover with water, to soften. Once soft, drain raisins. Step 2 Add all dry ingredients except raisins to wet mix along with oil. Use a blunt butter knife to chop through until dough comes together. If needed, add a little extra water. Mix raisins into dough. Transfer to a greased bowl and cover with greased plastic wrap. Leave to double in size in a warm place for about 20 minutes. Step 3 Tip dough onto lightly floured bench. Knead a little to shape into a large long thin oval loaf. Or shape into two small oval loaves. Place long loaf diagonally onto a lightly greased oven tray. Brush dough with milk then use a bread knife to cut five slits into the top of the loaf. Leave another 25 minutes until doubled in size. Step 4 Bake for 25 minutes until golden. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before slicing. |
Hands-on Time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 25 minutes
Makes: 1 loaf (12 large slices) Credit: Styling and Food Preparation Tracey Sunderland, Photography: Carolyn Robertson Tip: To speed up the ‘proving’ time where the dough rests, the gluten develops and the dough doubles in size: use a microwave-proof bowl, place the dough in the microwave and set it on the lowest temperature for 1 minute. Wait for 10 minutes and repeat. Or place dough in an oven drawer to warm quickly. |