Currant Bread Recipes

KRENTENBROOD VAN BAKKER VEERMAN (CURRANT AND RAISIN BREAD)

Steps:

• Soak currants and raisins in a bowl of warm water for 30 minutes. Drain and pat dry with paper towels; stir in candied peel.
• Sift flour and cinnamon into a large bowl. Make a well in the center of the flour. Add yeast and sugar to the well; pour in 1/4 cup lukewarm water. Let stand until yeast begins to foam, about 5 minutes.
• Stir remaining 3/4 cup lukewarm water, milk, eggs, and salt into the flour mixture until dough comes together.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Add currant mixture; knead until evenly incorporated and dough is smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and cover with a damp cloth. Let rise in a warm place until doubled, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Grease two 9x5-inch loaf pans lightly with butter. Flatten dough gently and shape into 2 loaves. Place 1 loaf in each pan and cover with a damp cloth. Let rise in a warm place until puffy, about 45 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bake loaves in the preheated oven until firm and dark brown, about 45 minutes. Invert onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing, about 1 hour.

RAISIN-CURRANT BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly grease 2 loaf pans, line with parchment and regrease.
• Sift the first 6 ingredients into a large bowl and set aside. Place raisins and currants into a bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon of the sifted mixture. In another bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients.
• Make a well in the center of the sifted ingredients and pour in the egg-milk mixture. Sprinkle with the raisins and currants. Mix with a wooden spoon until just blended. Pour the batter into the pans and bake 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool the bread in the pans for 5 minutes, then invert onto a rack and cool to room temperature.

PECAN CURRANT BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F with rack in middle.
• Whisk together dry ingredients, pecans, and currants in a large bowl. In another bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients until combined well.
• Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients until just combined. Transfer batter to a well-buttered 9- by 5-inch loaf pan, smoothing top, and bake until golden-brown and a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, about 1 1/4 hours.
• Cool in pan on a rack 10 minutes, then turn out onto rack and cool 1 hour more.