TWD Rewind: Raisin Swirl Bread

January 17, 2012 at 9:26 pm | Posted in breakfast things, groups, sweet things, sweet yeast breads, tuesdays with dorie | 5 Comments
Tags: baking, bread

Bread is definitely my favorite food group. I’m not sure why, then, I skipped Raisin Swirl Bread when Susan picked it for TWD over the summer. Maybe I was away…maybe it was too hot out for bread baking…I can’t remember. Anyway, now is prefect bread baking weather, so I thought I’d give it a try. Also, I wanted to brush up on my yeast skills before we get going on the white loaves from Baking with Julia in a couple of weeks.

This is just a straight-forward dough technique (no sponge or starter) with a couple of proofs. I used my mixer for it, so I didn’t even break a sweat. Scented with a little orange zest and of course a cinnamon-raisin swirl, it smelled really good baking. I was so proud of myself for waiting until the bread had cooled completely before cutting into it. I was even more proud of its perfect texture and beautifully hypnotic swirl. There was a time when I would have skipped the raisins altogether and this would just have been a cinnamon swirl bread, but raisins and I have gradually made peace over the last couple of years. We’re good now…I’m glad I gave them a second chance.

This makes fabulous toast (with a little salty butter, of course)! I could probably have downed the whole loaf that way, but I tried it out as French toast, too. Good stuff. Really, I can’t wait to make this again. For the recipe, see Baking: From My Home to Yours by Dorie Greenspan or read Food Baby, as it was Susan’s pick from back in June.

P.S.: If you don’t already have it, don’t forget to enter my Baking with Julia BOOK GIVEAWAY!

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I’m salivating over that one and can just see the melted butter….perfect swirls too.

Comment by Lesley— January 17, 2012 #

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Oh, I forgot how wonderful this recipe was! And yes, salty butter is a Must! 😀
Your bread looks delicious!

Comment by Valerie— January 17, 2012 #

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I just love that you and raisins have made peace! I never knew there were so many raisin haters out there until they came out of the woodwork with TWD. I adore raisins. Even in things that I didnt think I would like them in, like the french brownies.

Your bread looks absolutely perfect. Your swirl is amazing!

Comment by Laurie— January 18, 2012 #

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This is on my list of things to try this winter. Yummy!

Comment by Baker on the Rise— January 19, 2012 #

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I could live on bread alone, especially if they look as tasty as this one does.

Comment by Eliana— January 23, 2012 #

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