Raisin Walnut Wheat Bread

Total Time: 3 hrs 30 mins Preparation Time: 3 hrs Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (unbleached)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (if needed)
• 2 teaspoons instant yeast
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup nonfat dry milk powder
• 1 1/4 cups water (120 f)
• 1/4 cup shortening (room temperature)
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup walnuts (chopped)
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• candied cherry, halved

Recipe

• 1 in large mixing bowl or mixer bowl, add the whole wheat flour and the non-flour dry ingredients.
• 2 pour in the hot water and add the shortening.
• 3 beat with a wooden spoon 150 strokes or with the mixer flat blade for 2 minutes.
• 4 stir in the fruit and nuts.
• 5 add the flour slowly, mixing with a wooden spoon and then by hand until a rough, soft mass is formed. if using a mixer, use dough hook and add flour until dough forms a soft ball around the hook and moves with it.
• 6 knead for 10 minutes, adding flour if too wet and a little water if too dry.
• 7 place dough in a clean, oiled bowl and let it rise until doubled in volume. another test is when a finger poked into it leaves a dent that remains.
• 8 divide the dough into 3 equal pieces and gently roll into 3 strands, 20 inches long. if the dough resists stretching, cover and wait 10 minutes until the dough relaxes. the strands should be tapered at the ends.
• 9 braid the strands loosely and seal the ends, tucking them under.
• 10 cover the loaf with plastic wrap and let it rise until doubled in volume at room temperature. i place the loaf in the fridge overnight and the next day i let it warm and rise for about and hour and a half.
• 11 heat oven to 375f about 20 minutes before baking.
• 12 bake on a baking stone or baking sheet for about 30 minutes or until 200f internal temperature and remove and cool on a wire rack.
• 13 mix the topping ingredients and spread or drizzle on the loaf while the loaf is still slightly warm.