Cinnamon-raisin swirl bread

Instructions

• To make Classic sandwich bread: Stir yeast with sugar and warm milk in the bowl of an electric stand mixer. Set aside for 10 min or until slightly frothy. Combine flour with salt in a medium bowl.

• Stir yeast mixture with paddle attachment at low speed for 1 min. Gradually add flour mixture while stirring, until combined, about 2 min. Replace paddle with dough hook. Add butter and knead on medium-low for 1 min. Increase speed to medium and knead 4 more min (stand mixer may move around the counter). Remove hook. Cover mixing bowl with a damp kitchen towel (not terry cloth) and let rise at room temperature until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

• To make Cinnamon-raisin swirl variation: Stir 1/2 cup granulated sugar with 4 tsp cinnamon in a small bowl. Set aside. Soak 2 cups raisins in hot tap water in a medium bowl. Let stand for 10 min, then drain well.

• Prepare dough as for Classic Sandwich Bread, but add raisins along with butter before kneading on medium-low for 1 min. After the first rise, punch and knead the dough for 1 min, then let rest for 5 min.

• Divide dough in half. Dust each portion with a little more flour. Roll each portion into a 12 × 9-in. rectangle. Beat 1 egg and brush all over surface of both rectangles. Sprinkle evenly with cinnamon sugar.

• Roll up each rectangle into a log, starting at the shorter end. Place logs seam-side down in 2 greased 9 × 5-in. loaf pans.

• Bake at 375F until golden brown, about 50 min.