Description
This is a Newfie recipe for Molasses Bread that has been handed down to me.
Ingredients
- 4 cups raisins
- ½ cup lukewarm water
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
- 1 (.25 ounce) envelope active dry yeast
- 2 ½ cups milk
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 tablespoon salt
- ½ cup molasses
- 6 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground mace
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Place raisins into a heatproof bowl and pour in enough boiling water to cover. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap
- or a plate to seal; allow to stand overnight.
- Dissolve sugar in the lukewarm water in a small bowl. Sprinkle yeast over the water and allow to soften and bubble
- about 10 to 15 minutes. Meanwhile
- heat the milk
- butter
- and salt in a saucepan over medium heat until the butter melts. Remove from the heat and allow to cool until lukewarm (105 to 110 degrees F).
- Once the milk has cooled
- drain the raisins
- and add them to the milk. Stir in the yeast mixture and molasses. In a separate bowl
- sift together the flour
- cinnamon
- mace
- and clove. Stir half of the flour into the milk mixture with a wooden spoon and beat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add remaining flour and stir until a moist dough is formed.
- Place dough on a flat surface and knead until dough becomes smooth and elastic
- about 10 minutes
- adding more flour as necessary to keep dough from sticking. Place into a large
- oiled bowl; cover
- and allow to rise in a warm
- draft-free area until doubled in bulk
- 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
- Lightly oil or grease two loaf pans and set aside. Divide dough in half and shape into 2 loaves
- place into prepared pans
- cover
- and allow to rise until doubled in bulk
- 1 to 2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Bake loaves in preheated oven 1 hour
- or until they are nicely browned and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Prep Time: 25 mins
Cook Time: 1 hr 15 mins
Total Time: 13 hrs 40 mins
Servings: 12