Irish Freckle Bread

Total Time: 2 hrs 30 mins Preparation Time: 2 hrs Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 1 (1/4 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 8 tablespoons sugar, divided
• 1 cup warm water (110 to 115 degrees)
• 1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine, melted
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup warm mashed potatoes (without added milk or butter)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 1/4-4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup raisins

Recipe

• 1 in a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar in warm water.
• 2 add the butter, eggs, potatoes, salt, remaining sugar and two cups flour; beat until smooth.
• 3 stir in raisins and enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
• 4 turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes.
• 5 place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top.
• 6 cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
• 7 punch dough down.
• 8 turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into eight portions.
• 9 shape each into a ball.
• 10 place dough balls in a greased 10-inch springform pan.
• 11 cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.
• 12 place on a baking sheet.
• 13 bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
• 14 remove sides of pan.
• 15 place on a wire rack to cool.