In my home we usually make varieties of flat bread. Other than that we buy sweet bread from bakery. I saw some bread variety and I wanted to try bread. This is my first time working with yeast. So my first Hand knead easy bread recipe for beginners.

Ingredients Needed

Whole wheat / All purpose flour - 2 2/3 cups
Warm Milk - 1/2 cup
Warm Water - 1/3 cup
Active dry yeast - 2 Packet (3.5 gms)
Salt - 1/3 tsp
Egg - 1
Butter - 1/4 cup (Softened) + 1 tablespoon (melted)
Raisins - 1/3 cup
Sugar - 1 /4 cup

For Topping

Warm Milk - 1 Tablespoon
Sugar - 1/3 cup
Ground Cinnamon - 1 tablespoon

Step 1: Mix the Ingredients

Dissolve yeast in warm water and set aside until yeast is frothy, about 10 minutes.

In a large bowl, mix in beaten egg, yeast, 1/4 cup of sugar, 1/4 cup softened butter, raisins and salt. (If you like nuts you can add some)
Stir in the 1/2 cup of cooled milk slowly so you don't cook the egg.

Step 2: Make a Stiff Dough

Add the flour gradually to make a stiff dough.
Start kneading the dough with hand.
Knead until dough become smooth.
This will take a few minutes, also a good workout for your wrist and hand.

After dough become smooth, grease the surface of dough with melted butter. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or damp cloth and let it rise. Allow the dough to rise until doubled, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Since its summer, my dough doubled within 1 1/2 hours.

Step 3: Roll Up the Dough

In a floured surface, roll out the dough into a large rectangle about 1/2 inch thick.
It don't need to be a perfect rectangle.
Moisten the surface of the rectangle dough with a tablespoon of milk and make sure to rub all over the dough.
Mix together the ground cinnamon and sugar.
Sprinkle it evenly on top of the moistened dough.
Roll up the dough long way.
Bring both ends to center, tuck and pinch bottom together.

Step 4: Bake the Perfect Loaf of Bread

In well greased 9*5 inch loaf pan place the loaf.
Let it rise again in warm place for about an hour.
Grease top of loaf with milk.
Bake at 175 degree C (350 degree F ) for 45 minutes or until loaf is lightly browned or check with cooking thermometer - 210 degree F
Remove from oven and let it cool on rack.

After cooled slice it and enjoy the raisin cinnamon hand knead bread.