Cinnamon Swirled Raisin Loaves

These are very attractive little loaves.  Think of these as a cinnamon roll in a loaf—a very good cinnamon roll.  You can decorate them as you like.

For the dough

3 cups all bread flour
1 7 gram packet instant yeast
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dough conditioner
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk

For the filling

3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup golden raisins

Note: You may substitute 3 1/2 tablespoons of cinnamon vanilla sugar for the sugar and cinnamon. 

For the glaze

3/4 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 tablespoon milk

Directions

1. Place about two-thirds of the flour in the bowl of your stand-type mixer.  Sprinkle the yeast over the flour. 
2. Warm the milk to 105 to 110 degrees.  Add the milk to the flour and yeast mixture.  Mix with the dough hook for about a minute to distribute the yeast. 
3. Add the rest of the flour to bowl.  Add the sugar, salt, and dough conditioner.  Soften the butter in the microwave and add it.  Knead with the dough hook at medium speed for four minutes or until the gluten in the dough is developed.  Add a bit more flour or dribble just a bit more milk into the dough, if necessary, to get the right consistency.  The dough should be soft but not so sticky that you can’t handle it.  Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled. 
4. With a sharp knife, divide dough into eight equal balls.  Flatten each into a 4 x 6-inch rectangle with your hands.
5. Melt the three additional tablespoons of butter in small bowl. Brush the butter onto the rectangles.  Mix the cinnamon and sugar together.  Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the rectangles.  Sprinkle the raisins over the rectangles. 
6. Roll the dough tightly into four inch logs.  Place each in greased pans. (We used a linking loaf pan for eight mini loaves, each 2 1/2 x 4-inches.)  Cover and let rise until doubled and soft.
7. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 
8. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until done.  The internal temperature should reach 190 degrees.  Remove the loaves from the pans to cool on wire racks.
9. Once cooled, mix the powdered sugar, butter, and one tablespoon milk together to make a glaze.  Spread the glaze on the loaves.  Add holiday decorations if you wish. 

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