Jircitano Easter Raisin Bread - Bread Machine Manual Style

Total Time: 12 hrs 20 mins Preparation Time: 12 hrs Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• 8 ounces eggs (extra large eggs are approx. 2 oz. each)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon anise extract
• 6 tablespoons softened butter, very soft to melted but not hot
• 3/8 ounce active dry yeast (standard packets are 1/4 oz)
• 5/8 cup lukewarm water
• 1 1/4 lbs flour
• 1/2 ounce anise seed
• 1/2 lb raisins

Recipe

• 1 add all ingredients except raisins to breadmaker in a way that works for you and your particular breadmaker. i like to add all the liquids first then the dry ingredients on top.
• 2 set breadmaker to do a manual/dough cycle (sweet bread).
• 3 check after 5 minutes of kneading. if dough is very sticky, add a small handful of flour. if it's very dry, add a little water. check again after a few minutes and adjust until you get a nice dough texture.
• 4 when cycle completes, remove dough from machine and place on a kneading surface.
• 5 add the raisins. knead a little, mixing in the raisins.
• 6 shape into loaves. this recipe makes 2 large or 4 small braided loaves.
• 7 place loaves on baking sheets, allowing enough room for loaves to double in size.
• 8 let the loaves rise, covered, until doubled.
• 9 bake at 325f for 30 minutes.