Coffee Can Bread

littleturtle's Note:

Any chopped, dried fruit can substitute for the raisins. Great just sliced and spread with butter.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 50 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 40 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 24

Yield: 2.0 loaves

• 4 cups flour or 4 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 (1/4 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine
• 1/4 cup sugar or 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup ground walnuts or 1/2 cup ground almonds
• 1/2 cup raisins, chopped
• 3 eggs, slightly beaten

Directions:

1. You will also need: 2 (1 lb.) clean coffee cans with plastic lids.
2. Mix 2 cups flour with yeast.
3. In a saucepan, stir together milk, butter, sugar, and salt over low heat until butter is melted.
4. Cool 5 minutes, and add liquid ingredients to flour and yeast in bowl.
5. Beat until just smooth.
6. Add remaining 2 cups of flour, nuts, raisins, and eggs, and mix well (Dough will be stiff).
7. Knead on floured board until smooth and elastic and fruit is well distributed.
8. Coat inside of coffee cans using a little oil or melted butter.
9. Divide dough in half and put one half in each can, and cover.
10. Place in a warm spot (about 85 degrees) for dough to rise, until it reaches about an inch from the top (about 1 hour).
11. Remove plastic lid, and bake at 375F for 35 minutes or until bread is well-browned and sounds hollow when tapped.
12. Let cool in cans for 10 minutes before turning out on rack to cool completely.