Molasses Raisin Bread

This is a simple bread machine bread, that can be mixed up in about thirty minutes. Although I usually remove this bread from the bread machine to bake in the oven, it can be done from start to finish in the bread machine. This bread is wonderful, toasted for breakfast, and spread with cream cheese!!

• Bread Machine
• Oven (optional)
• Cream Cheese
• Molasses
• 1 Cup Old Fashioned Rolled-Oats
• 1-1/4 Cups Water
• 3 Cups Bread Flour
• 1-1/2 Teaspoons Salt
• 3 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
• 1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
• 1/2 Cup Raisins
• 1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
• 1/2 Teaspoon Grated Nutmeg
• 1/2 Teaspoon Ground Ginger
• 1/4 Teaspoon Ground Cloves
• 1-1/2 Teaspoons Red Star brand active dry yeast

Place all of the ingredients in the bread pan, except for the cream cheese and molasses, select the Dough setting, and press start.

When the bread machine is done, remove dough. Let it rest on the counter for ten minutes. After the time is up, stretch the dough lengthwise. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough until its thickness is about 1/4 inch. Drizzle the top with molasses, and rub the liquid all over the surface. Roll the edges of the dough in, and tightly roll it into the shape shown in picture 4. Place in a greased glass bread pan. Warm the oven, and then turn it off. Place the bread in the still warm oven, to raise for about an hour.

After the dough has raised for about an hour, remove from oven, and warm oven to 350 degrees F. Bake the bread for about 25 minutes. (Since this bread is meant to be baked in the bread machine, I don't know the exact time) After the dough has come out of the oven, let it cool slightly, before serving. This bread tastes phenomenal topped with bread and cream cheese!