Molasses Sweetbread

This is my grandmother’s recipe for molasses raisin bread from the Maritimes.

Step: 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease and flour a 9-inch cake pan.

Step: 2

In a large bowl, mix together the molasses, lard, salt, and raisins. Stir in the boiling water until smooth. Sift together the flour, ground ginger and baking soda. Stir the flour into the molasses mixture until smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared pan,

Step: 3

Bake 1 hour in the preheated oven or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool to room temperature on a wire rack before removing from the pan.

Step: 4

While the cake is baking, prepare the icing by simmering together the brown sugar and cream in a saucepan over medium heat. Heat to between 234 and 240 degrees F (112 to 116 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a soft ball that flattens when removed from the water and placed on a flat surface. Pour the syrup into a bowl, add the butter, and beat with an electric mixer until the mixture begins to thicken, then set aside and allow to cool.

Step: 5

Once the frosting and cake are both cool, spread the icing on the cake and serve.

Per Serving: 382 calories; protein 3.1g; carbohydrates 76.6g; fat 8.2g; cholesterol 19.2mg; sodium 232.2mg.

The best flavour of the flour could make a real difference to your bread. Different makers do vary. Extra-strong or Canadian flours, which are naturally higher in gluten, may give you a better rise than standard bread flours – especially if you’re make wholemeal bread , which not always rise as well as white bread.

To made this in a dough , add all the menus to your breadmaker and follow the makers instructions.

A dough’s first rising can be done in the fridge 24 hours . This slows down the time it takes to rise to double its size, giving it a deeper flavour. It’s also a great limit , as you can start it night before , then finish it off the next day.