Raisin Bread

Name: Raisin Bread
Ingredients: 2 packages dry yeast; 2 1/4 cups warm water ( 105° to 115°), divided; 3 tablespoons sugar; 1 tablespoon salt; 2 tablespoons shortening; 7 cups all-purpose flour, divided; 2 cups raisins; Butter or margarine, melted

8 ingredients

4 steps

Ingredients

2 packages dry yeast
2 1/4 cups warm water ( 105° to 115°), divided
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon salt
2 tablespoons shortening
7 cups all-purpose flour, divided
2 cups raisins
Butter or margarine, melted

Directions

1

Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water in a large mixing bowl, stirring well; let stand 5 minutes or until bubbly. Add remaining warm water, sugar, salt, shortening, and 3 1/2 cups flour; beat well. Stir in raisins and enough remaining flour to make a soft dough.
2

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead 10 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Place dough in a greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 2 hours or until doubled in bulk.
3

Punch dough down; turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide dough in half, and shape each into a loaf. Place in 2 greased 9- x 5- x 3-inch loaf pans. Cover and repeat rising procedure 45 minutes or until doubled in bulk.
4

Bake at 350° for 40 minutes or until loaves sound hollow when tapped. Remove from pans immediately; cool on wire racks. Brush tops with melted butter.