Selkirk Bannock

Mille® 's Note:

There are many versions of bannock in the U.K. This one is supposedly the first bannock ever made by bakery owner Robbie Douglas in 1859. It is said that Queen Victoria would have nothing else with her tea.

• Total Time: 3 hrs 5 mins
• Prep Time: 2 hrs 20 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 8

Yield: 1.0 bannock

• ¾ cup milk
• ½ cup butter
• 3 cups unbleached flour
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 (¼ ounce) package instant yeast
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 ½ cups sultanas (golden raisins)
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon water

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan, heat the milk to simmering and remove from heat.
2. Mix in the butter and stir until melted, and then let cool until lukewarm.
3. In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, yeast and salt.
4. Stir lukewarm milk into the flour mixture until soft dough is formed.
5. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.
6. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil.
7. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
8. Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.
9. Knead in sultanas and shape into a large round loaf.
10. Place the loaf on a lightly greased baking sheet, cover with a damp cloth and let rise until doubled in volume, about 60 minutes.
11. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
12. In a small bowl, beat together egg yolk and water.
13. Brush risen loaf with egg yolk mixture, and bake until loaf is golden and bottom sounds hollow when tapped, about 40 minutes.
14. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.