Women's Weekly Food

RUM & RAISIN BREADPREP + COOK TIME1 HOUR 20 MINUTES(+ PROVING & COOLING) MAKES 1 LOAF(SERVES 10)We’ve enriched oureasy−to−makedough with a little butter andegg, then studded it with plumprum−soaked raisins to put a smileon your face when you taste oursticky braided bread.¾ cup(110g) raisins(see cook’s notes)½ cup (125ml) dark rum¾ cup (180ml) warm milk1 tablespoon brown sugar2 teaspoons (7g) dried yeast40g butter, melted, cooled3 cups (450g) plain flour1 teaspoon sea salt flakes1 egg, beaten lightly½ cup (80g) icing sugar3 teaspoons milk, extra1 Place raisins and rum in asmallbowl.Standfor30minutes.2 Meanwhile, combine milk,brown sugar and yeast in a mediumbowl. Stand in a warm place for10 minutes oruntil mixture is frothy.Stir in butter.3 Combine flour and salt in a largebowl of an electric mixer fitted witha dough hook. Add yeast mixture,raisin mixture andtwo−thirds ofthe egg (reserve remaining egg inthe fridge). Mix to a sticky dough.Continue mixing dough with mixerfor 10 minutes or until smoothand elastic.4 Transfer dough to an oiled largebowl and cover with plastic wrap.Stand in a warm place for1½ hoursor until dough has doubled in size.5 Grease an oven tray. Punch downdough with your fist. Turn out ontoa lightly floured surface. Divide intothree portions. Roll each portionintoa35cm−long rope.Place doughlengths on an oven tray, pressing thetops together to join. Cross lengthsover and under each other to form``````a plait. Press ends to join, tuckingends under. Cover with oiled plasticwrap. Stand in a warm place for1 hour or until the dough hasdoubled in size.6 Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan.7 Brush braid with reserved egg.Bake for 35 minutes or until goldenand sounds hollow when tapped onbase. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.8 Sift icing sugar into a small bowl,then stir in extra milk. Drizzle glazeover braid.COOK’SNOTESRUM & RAISIN BREADBread is best made on dayof serving. It can be frozen forup to 2 months.Try using sultanas, currantsor chopped dried figs insteadof raisins.RUM & RAISIN BREAD