Normally, I hate raisins. They’re often too dry, too sweet, and sometimes they have seeds. I especially hate the raisins found in boxed cereals. Gross.
The only time I love raisins is when the word rum precedes it.
Rum raisin ice cream? Yes, I’d like a double scoop please. Rum raisin bread pudding? Why, of course I’d like some more.
And now, rum raisin cinnamon bread. I made two loaves so Alex and I wouldn’t have to share.
Rum Raisin Cinnamon Bread
Sure, raisin cinnamon bread is fine, but rum raisin cinnamon bread is BETTER.
In the past when I’ve made raisin cinnamon bread, I’ve had issues with the raisins. The raisins don’t taste very good. I end up picking them out.
My rum raisin bread is a little different. I soak the raisins in warm rum for a couple of hours until the raisins are plump, juicy, and super flavorful. They taste amazing!
I could eat rum soaked raisins as is, but it’d probably get me drunk and is a terrible way to start the day.
Ever make raisin cinnamon swirl bread and end up with large gaps in the bread? Or the raisins fall out as you slice the bread? Yes, I’ve had that happen to me, too. I found that by pressing the raisins into the dough and then covering them with a thick cinnamon sugar paste keeps the raisins in place. See photo above. Just look at those swirls!
Enjoy a slice of this bread toasted with a pat of butter or a smear of cream cheese, make a fancy French toast, or simply eat it as is. No matter how you choose to eat it, it’s going to be awesome.
Rum Raisin Cinnamon Bread
Ingredients
- 1 cup raisins
- ¾ cup dark rum
- 1 cup warm milk, warmed to 100-105 degrees F
- ¼ cup + 2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 2 ¼ teaspoon active dry yeast
- 4 Tablespoon unsalted butter, melted, slightly cooled
- 2 large eggs, lightly whisked
- 4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt
Cinnamon Sugar Filling:
- 4 Tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup dark brown sugar, packed
- 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
Egg Wash:
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ teaspoon water
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Place raisins in a medium bowl. Heat rum in small sauce pot until it begins to simmer. Remove from heat and pour over raisins. Let sit for 2-3 hours until rum has cooled to room temperature and raisins have plumped up. Strain raisins and discard rum. Set aside.
- In a large cup, add warm milk, 2 tsp sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir to combine. Let sit for 5-8 minutes until yeast has activated and mixture is foamy.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, and sea salt. Set aside.
- Pour yeast mixture into the bowl of stand mixer fitted with a hook attachment. Add remaining sugar, cooled melted butter, lightly whisked eggs.
- With the mixer running on low speed, add the flour mixture in three additions. Once all the flour add been added, increase speed to medium. Continue to mix until dough comes together to form a smooth, soft ball.
- Remove from mixing bowl and transfer to a lightly oiled large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let dough rise in a warm area for 1 hour. Punch dough down and divide the dough into two equal parts.
- Mix together filling. In a small bowl, combine softened butter, dark brown sugar, cinnamon and orange zest until smooth.
- Working with one piece of dough at a tie, roll dough into a rectangle about 9"x13" in size. (Have the shorter side of the rectangle facing you.) Sprinkle half of the rum raisins over the dough. Using the palms of your hands (or a rolling pin) gently press raisins into the dough. Take half of the filing mixture and spread it evenly over the raisins and dough.
- Roll up the dough tightly and pinch the seams together. Tuck the ends of the roll under. Place loaf seam side down in a lightly greased 9"x 4" loaf pan. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 30 minutes. Repeat with other half of dough. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Whisk together egg wash. Brush egg wash over the top of the loaves. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the tops of the bread are golden brown. To ensure doneness, check the internal temperature of the bread using a kitchen thermometer. The internal temperature should be above 185 degrees F. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes before unmolding. Allow to cool to room temperature on a wire rack. Do not slice into bread until it has cooled down.
Oh my, filled with flavor! This will be a huge hit for out family gathering on the weekend.
Hi Wendy! I hope you and your family like it! :)
This looks absolutely delicious! And rum certainly does make everything more palatable! Great tip about pressing the raisins into the dough.
Thanks Liz! Yes, rum does wonders! :)
I prepare some reciple with another filling, its delicious to.
Its made with white sugar, nuts, vainilla cookies and a touch of cinnamon. You have to process the cookies and mix with the other ingredients,
Its delicious to!!!
From Argentina I love The litle…….. I m a fan of it!!! congratulations!!!
Carmen Colombo.-
Hi Carmen! That sounds delicious! I would love to try your recipe!
So I unlike you I love raisins, I’d put it in just about everything. But I must admit it’s even better when added to RUM! woo woo!! lol.
Your recipe looks lovely, can’t wait to try.
Thanks! I hope you like it. Happy baking! :)
I agree, rum raisin sound so much better. Ițm not a huge fan of raisins unless they are well soaked in rum.
This bread looks so much like the Romanian “cozonac” (traditional sweet bread, filled with walnuts, chocolate, raisins or poppy seeds) which I’m really fond on. Delicious pics!
Thanks Oana! That bread sounds lovely. I need to learn how to make it!
I love homemade breads and working with yeast dough. And rum raisin does sound enticing. Pinned!
So I have already made this once and loved it! However on the second time around I cannot see where it says to add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar. Am I crazy? I see the 2 tsp but not the 1/4 cup.
Hi Christina! Thank you so much for pointing that out. You add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar along with the melted butter and whisked egg.
This bread looks unbelievably good! Your photos are beautiful and I love your recipes. Thanks so much!