INGREDIENTS:
1 loaf day old Italian or French bread
3 eggs
1 scant cup sugar
1 quart milk or half and half
1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla
4 large ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon, divided in half
1 cup raisins
1/2 teaspoon fresh, finely grated ginger root
2 tablespoons dark rum or banana liqueur
DIRECTIONS:
Put the raisins in the rum or liqueur, and warm briefly in the microwave (20-30 seconds). Allow to sit at least 30 minutes. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and mix well.
Cube the loaf of bread, put it in a bowl with the milk …

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup water
1 egg
2 1/2 cups bread flour
1 cup rye flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons unsulphured molasses
2 1/2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon caraway seed
1/2 teaspoon instant coffee (optional)
1/3 cup raisins
2 3/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 tablespoons instant potato flakes
DIRECTIONS:
In a small saucepan, combine water, raisins, potato flakes, caraway seeds, butter, molasses. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Allow to sit for 30 minutes or until lukewarm.
Add remaining ingredients to bread machine and pour in liquids and raisin mixture when cooled.
Select medium crust setting on bread machine …

INGREDIENTS:
4 1/4 cups bread flour
1 tablespoon vital wheat gluten (optional)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
3 tablespoons lard
1/2 cup milk, scalded
1 cup water
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 egg yolk
3 1/2 tablespoons sugar or honey
DIRECTIONS:
This is a good sized loaf for the larger bread machines, but can also be made conventionally.
If you want your bread to rise higher and be lighter, scald the milk. Yes, it does make a difference. There is a protein in milk which also exists in non-fat dry milk solids, that has been proven to retard …