Piernik - Honey Bread

This is a recipe from my Polish grandmother. It is a semi-sweet bread that tastes wonderful with a little butter. I grew up on this stuff and it has always been one of my favorites.

Step: 1

In a large bowl, mix the sugar, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and eggs. Stir in the milk and oil, and mix in the baking soda. Place honey in a small pot, and bring to a boil. Stir honey into the bowl. Mix flour into the bowl. Fold in the raisins and walnuts. Stir by hand with a sturdy spoon for 10 minutes. Allow the dough to sit 1 hour.

Step: 2

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Lightly grease four 8x4 inch loaf pans.

Step: 3

Fill each loaf pan with about 2 inches of the batter. Bake 1 hour 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until a toothpick inserted in the center of a loaf comes out clean. Bread will be brown in color and will crack on top.

Per Serving: 175 calories; protein 2.9g; carbohydrates 29.5g; fat 5.5g; cholesterol 23.6mg; sodium 50.8mg.

The best flavour of the flour can make a real deal 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 doesn’t always rise as well as clear bread.

To made this in a dough , add all the menus to your breadmaker and follow the manufacturer’s 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 timesaver , as you can start it yesterday , then clear it off the next day.