This Dutch oven cinnamon raisin bread is a delightful combination of sweet and spicy flavors, perfect for breakfast or as a snack. The use of a Dutch oven ensures a perfectly baked loaf with a crispy crust and soft interior.
This straightforward recipe requires minimal ingredients and basic baking techniques, making it accessible for both novice and experienced bakers.
Homemade Cinnamon Raisin Bread in a Dutch Oven
Creating a loaf of cinnamon raisin bread at home is a rewarding experience that fills your kitchen with a warm, inviting aroma. This recipe utilizes a Dutch oven, which is key to achieving that perfect balance of a crispy crust and a soft, fluffy interior.
The dough is enriched with ground cinnamon and studded with plump raisins, making each slice a delightful treat. Whether enjoyed fresh out of the oven or toasted with a smear of butter, this bread is perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make this delicious bread, gather a few simple ingredients. You’ll need all-purpose flour, salt, sugar, instant yeast, ground cinnamon, warm water, and, of course, raisins. A bit of melted butter for brushing on top adds a lovely finish.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. With just a handful of ingredients, you can create a loaf that rivals those from your favorite bakery.
The Baking Process
Start by mixing the dry ingredients in a large bowl. This includes the flour, salt, sugar, instant yeast, and ground cinnamon. Gradually add warm water to form a shaggy dough, then fold in the raisins until they are evenly distributed.
Once your dough is formed, it’s time for the first rise. Cover the bowl and let it rest in a warm area until it doubles in size. This step is crucial for developing flavor and texture.
Shaping and Second Rise
After the dough has risen, turn it out onto a floured surface and shape it into a round loaf. Place it on parchment paper for easy transfer to the Dutch oven.
Allow the loaf to rise again for about 30 to 45 minutes. This second rise helps create that airy texture inside the bread, making it light and fluffy.
Baking to Perfection
Preheat your oven with the Dutch oven inside to 450°F. This ensures that the pot is hot enough to create steam, which is essential for a crusty exterior.
Once preheated, carefully place the dough into the Dutch oven and cover it with the lid. Bake for 30 minutes, then remove the lid to let the bread finish baking for an additional 15 to 20 minutes. The result will be a beautifully golden brown loaf.
Cooling and Serving Suggestions
After baking, transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool. This step is important to prevent the bottom from becoming soggy.
Once cooled, slice the bread to reveal its swirls of cinnamon and raisins. Serve it warm with a small bowl of butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon for an inviting breakfast or snack option.
This cinnamon raisin bread is not just a treat for the taste buds; it’s a feast for the senses, making it a wonderful addition to any meal or gathering.
Homemade Cinnamon Raisin Bread in a Dutch Oven
This cinnamon raisin bread features a rich dough infused with cinnamon and studded with plump raisins. The baking process in a Dutch oven creates a beautifully crusty exterior while keeping the inside moist and tender. The recipe takes about 3 hours from start to finish and yields one large loaf.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup warm water (about 110°F)
- 1 cup raisins
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (for brushing)
- Additional flour for dusting
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, sugar, instant yeast, and ground cinnamon.
- Add Water: Gradually add warm water to the dry ingredients, stirring until a shaggy dough forms.
- Incorporate Raisins: Fold in the raisins until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- First Rise: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 2 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Shape the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and shape it into a round loaf. Place it on a piece of parchment paper.
- Second Rise: Cover the loaf with a towel and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes.
- Preheat Oven: About 30 minutes before baking, place a Dutch oven (with the lid) in the oven and preheat to 450°F.
- Bake the Bread: Carefully remove the hot Dutch oven from the oven. Lift the parchment paper with the dough and place it into the Dutch oven. Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes.
- Finish Baking: Remove the lid and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown.
- Cool: Carefully transfer the bread to a wire rack and let it cool before slicing.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Rise Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Servings: 12 slices
- Calories: 180kcal
- Fat: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 36g