Step 1

Add all the dough ingredients except the raisins to your bread machine pan. Select the DOUGH cycle and press start. After 12-15 minutes, open the lid and check the dough. It should be tacky and stick to the side of the pan before pulling away cleanly. Make corrections by adding either liquid or flour 1 tablespoon at a time until dough meets this criterion.

Step 2

Add raisins or currants when the machine beeps that it's time to add any ingredients you don't want mashed by the kneading action. If your machine doesn't have this signal, add them during step #4 by working them by hand into the dough.

Step 3

When the DOUGH cycle finishes, poke two floured fingers into the dough to see if it has proofed enough. Your fingers should leave an indentation that slowly fills in. If the dough bounces right back, let it sit in the bread machine a little longer and test again in 15-30 minutes.

Step 4

Remove the dough from the bread machine to a lightly floured or greased surface. Form into a ball and flatten into a rough square shape. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Mix together the filling ingredients.

Step 5

Roll dough out to a 9 x 14-inch rectangle. Spritz lightly with water. Sprinkle the filling evenly over the dough. Roll up jelly-roll style starting from one of the short ends. Pinch the seam together to seal. Pull each end towards the seam and pinch. Place dough cylinder into a greased 8½ x 4½-inch loaf pan seam-side down or a 9x4x4-inch Pullman pan. Press down on the dough to evenly distribute it throughout the pan.

Step 6

Cover pan and place in a warm place until almost double in size. This process will likely take longer than usual (1-2 hours) because it is an enriched dough, but check it at 45 minutes. Use a knuckle to lightly press on the side of the loaf. The indentation should fill in slowly. If it bounces back immediately, let it continue to rise.

Step 7

Preheat the oven to 375˚F (190˚C) about 15 minutes before you think the loaf will be ready to bake.

Step 8

Glaze the loaf on top only if baking in a regular loaf pan. Put the lid on if using a Pullman pan and you want a square loaf. Bake for about 35-45 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 190˚F (88˚C). If using a Pullman pan, pull the lid off about 10 minutes before you expect the bread to be done. Use a quick-read thermometer to guarantee the bread is baked all the way through.

Step 9

Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to sit for 15 minnutes. Use a butter knife to loosen the loaf from the pan and turn it out onto a cooling rack for 20-30 minutes before slicing to avoid squashing your loaf.