To Make the Dough:

In a small bowl, mix yeast and some tablespoons of lukewarm water to activate the yeast. The yeast will bubble and froth and also you’ll realize it’s alive and able to bake with. Within the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a bread hook, measure your flour precisely by weighing it or by spooning it right into a measuring cup and leveling it off.

Combining dough components: begin with the flour, salt, and sugar. Adopted by butter, milk powder, mashed potato and the activated yeast combination. Combine and knead on medium velocity till the dough is clean and elastic. On a mixer, it will take about 7-8 minutes. For those who’re making this by hand, a strong 8 minutes of kneading. Add water or flour as wanted to realize the precise consistency – the dough will probably be somewhat cheesy. It ought to persist with the underside of the bowl, collect principally across the dough hook, however persist with the edges of the bowl a bit too. Add extra flour as crucial, however go straightforward—an excessive amount of, and your bread would possibly really feel a bit like a doorstop. As soon as close to the tip of kneading, add the raisins and proceed to knead till totally blended.

Place the dough in a evenly greased bowl, cowl it, and let it rise at room temperature till it’s puffed and practically doubled in measurement. This could take about an hour, however if you happen to kneaded by hand, it would want a little bit further love (aka time).

To Make the Filling:

Whereas the dough rises, stir collectively the sugars, cinnamon, cocoa powder, and flour in a small bowl.

To Fill and Form the Bread:

As soon as the dough has risen, switch it to a evenly floured work floor. Knead to clean. Reflour the floor and pat and stretch it right into a 6” x 20” rectangle—assume yoga for dough.

Brush the dough with the crushed egg. Sprinkle the filling evenly over the floor such as you’re sprinkling magic mud. It can really feel like plenty of filling which… it’s.

Beginning at one brief finish, roll the dough tightly right into a log. Pinch the ends and the seam to seal. Place the dough seam-side down right into a greased 8 1/2” x 4 1/2” loaf pan. Cowl loosely with greased plastic wrap.

Let the dough rise till it crests about 1” over the rim of the pan. This would possibly take about an hour, or a little bit longer in case your kitchen is chilly. Cue up a great podcast or a cup of tea when you wait.

To Bake the Bread:

Preheat the oven to 350°F whereas the dough does its factor.

Bake the bread for 40 to 45 minutes. Keep watch over it, and tent it with foil after the primary half-hour to keep away from a too-tan crust. The bread’s crust must be golden brown, and the within ought to register 190°F on a thermometer (a little bit bread tech second).

Take away the bread from the oven. Loosen the sides with a butterknife, then flip the loaf out of the pan onto a cooling rack. For those who’re feeling fancy, brush the highest with butter for a delicate, shiny crust.

Enable the bread to chill fully on a wire rack earlier than slicing. And sure, the ready is tough, nevertheless it’s price it.

Wrap the bread tightly and retailer it at room temperature for a number of days (if it lasts that lengthy!). For longer storage, freeze it—future you’ll thanks.