Every now and then, I treat myself to a cinnamon raisin bagel spread thickly with cream cheese. I don’t make this myself. Oh, no. I go to the local bagel place so they can do it right. If I were to make the sandwich, the cream cheese would not be as generously doled out. I’d be too stingy.
If I want a less indulgent version of that sandwich, I bake cinnamon raisin bread with whole wheat flour (mostly) and spread it with light cream cheese. It does the trick! Because really, what is better than freshly baked bread?
When we got married almost ten years ago, Kenny and I registered for (and got, yay!) a bread machine. I had visions of us in a perfectly appointed house with everything tidily in its place, eating bread that we’d made ourselves. With the help of the machine, of course.
And that’s come to pass, except with a lot more mess in the house and a lot lot lot more noise. The thing about bread machines is that some people think they’re cheating, and maybe they’re right. But I honestly don’t care. Bread that comes out of my oven is bread I made myself. And that is that.
Now, if you don’t have a bread machine, you can probably still make this bread using a dough hook attachment on your mixer, or even doing it by hand. It just won’t be so darn easy.
This recipe makes enough for two loaves, one for now and one to freeze. That way, I take out the frozen loaf when we’re having breakfast for dinner, reheat it, and it’s delicious. Because what could be better than cinnamon bread with, oh, just about anything?
This recipe works because even though it uses mostly whole wheat flour, I do put some regular all-purpose flour (or I also use bread flour) into the mix. When the dough is ready, you add the raisins and the cinnamon sugar. It’s very simple. I made this while watching my kids beat each other up.
Just kidding. Sort of. But the bottom line is, I can’t always get out for my cinnamon raisin bagel and cream cheese. When I want something warm, yeasty, and healthy, this bread is the best option. Talk about wish fulfillment!
Whole Wheat Cinnamon Raisin Bread
Ingredients
Bread
2 eggs at room temperature
1 cup warm (not hot) water
2 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup canola oil
2 and 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup sugar
3 and 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup bread flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 and 1/4 tablespoons yeast (if you use a packet, it’s pre-measured)
1 cup raisins (do not put in the bread machine!)
Swirl
4 teaspoons cinnamon
3 tablespoons sugar
Instructions
- As recommended by bread machine manufacturers, start with the wet ingredients. Put them into the bread machine in the order listed above EXCEPT for the raisins.
- Once the wet ingredients are in, add the salt and sugar and then pour in the flour and cinnamon.
- Using your index finger, make a small well in the flour. Fill it with the yeast.
- Select the dough cycle on your bread machine and press start.
- Once the dough is done (usually about an hour and a half, depending on your machine), take it out and put it on a floured surface.
- Punch the dough down and let it rest for 5-10 minutes.
- Knead the raisins into the dough, being sure that they're spread throughout fairly evenly.
- Divide the dough in half. Combine the cinnamon and sugar for the swirl.
- Spray two loaf pans with cooking spray.
- On a floured surface, roll one of the dough halves out into a rectangle about 1/4-inch thick. Sprinkle on the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Roll up and pinch the ends. Repeat the process with the other dough half.
- Place each rolled loaf into a pan and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to rise for about an hour and a half.
- When your dough has risen, preheat the oven to 350. Bake the loaves for 25-30 minutes until browned on top and baked through.
3.1
http://justaboutbaked.com/whole-wheat-cinnamon-raisin-bread/
Mir – I’m with you on the cinnamon raisin bagel train. Growing up, when my mom would treat us to breakfast out, I would always order a cinnamon raisin bagel with cream cheese. Cinnamon raisin is such a nostalgic flavor for me. Nowadays, I’m a little more health-conscious, so this whole wheat bread is just the thing to satisfy my cravings. I do not have a bread machine, but I’m sure the dough hook would work just fine. Homemade bread is a glorious thing, isn’t it?
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg recently posted…Murder by Death by Chocolate
The dough hook should work well, Erin! This bread tastes totally indulgent, I promise!
I’ve always wanted a bread machine, Mir! This bread is making me want to go out and buy one now! I love the whole wheat and cinnamon combo. Sounds delicious and I’m sure it made your house smell amazing!
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Chocolate Covered Potato Chips
You should, Gayle! Nothing is better than throwing in the ingredients and having the machine do the hard work for you. Happy weekend, friend!
That is the one thing I wish we had registered for AGES ago when we got married ! A bread machine! and the clean house? HA! dude, that all goes down the toilet after you have kids. . 😛 I’ve come to live with the mess (slightly joking) and toys in every single room of our house. . love love love this whole wheat cinnamon raisin bread!! love my carbs!! Happy Friday, Mir! 🙂
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom recently posted…Fennel Apple Salad
Alice, it’s a totally worthwhile expenditure. If you ever can, it’s kind of heavenly to wake up to bread that is fresh and done without any hardship! And boy, down the toilet is right. My house is a constant struggle to keep clean. Cannot deal. Happy Friday to you, too!
Love cinnamon raisin bread! Looks beautiful! Need to get a bread machine, my mom has one and loves it, but I don’t know why I still don’t have one!
mira recently posted…Bulgarian Easter Bread Kozunak
It’s a great gadget, Mira! One of my favorites. I think you’ll like it!
This looks amazing! I know exactly what you mean about the extra cream cheese when you eat out 🙂 I need a bread machine ASAP!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout recently posted…Comment on Dark Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Fudge Chunk Cookie Dough Frosting, Salted Caramel Glaze, and Triple Chocolate-Covered Pretzel Bites by Medha
Oh, the extra cream cheese. It’s heaven! I wish I could do that at home, but it makes me feel guilty, Medha!
I would love to have a bread machine. There’s nothing better than the smell so fresh bread baking. This cinnamon raisin bread looks so perfect, Mir! I have to try it!
Jen @ Baked by an Introvert recently posted…Gorgeously Green St Patrick’s Day Treats
Thanks so much, Jen! It is totally the best smell ever. I can’t resist a freshly baked loaf of anything!
Bread machines aren’t cheating, just making it faster! This cinnamon raisin bread looks delicious Mir, homemade bread is one of my favourite things ever. Especially the smell. So good!
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. recently posted…Chocolate Mint Popcorn
Totally agree, Stacey. I was once told I didn’t bake the bread myself because I used a machine. I was so offended!
I bet this would be amazing with some chocolate peanut butter on it.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Comment on Happiness Is…… by Dannii
You think just like I do, Dannii! Great idea.
I’m sure this does the trick! Cinnamon and Raisin ‘anything’ is a favorite flavor combination of mine! Love this, Mir!!
Annie @ ciaochowbambina recently posted…Corned Beef & Horseradish Cabbage Slaw with Dubliner Cheese Panini
Thanks so much, Annie! I’m with you. I always forget how much I love it, and then it sneaks up on me!
You’re absolutely right: there is just nothing better than freshly baked bread – especially when it has got cinnamon in it! I think I can even smell it through the screen 😀
This looks so yummy ♥ I really need to try it!
Lena | la fille lumineuse recently posted…My Nail Polish Storage
Thanks so much, Lena! I hope you get your fix. Freshly baked bread is totally one of life’s great pleasures!