Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup sugar (divided)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 cup warm milk
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt
Optional add-ins:
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- ½ cup dried fruits
- ½ cup chopped nuts
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon + 2 tablespoons sugar for swirl
- Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar + 2–3 tablespoons milk or lemon juice
Instructions
- Warm the milk until slightly warm, then mix with 2 tablespoons sugar. Sprinkle yeast on top and let it stand 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, remaining sugar, and salt. Add yeast mixture, eggs, and melted butter. Mix until a sticky dough forms.
- Knead the dough by hand or with a stand mixer for 8–10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1–2 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and divide it into four equal portions.
- Flavor each portion: -Roll one portion into a rectangle, brush with butter, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, roll up, and place in pan. -Knead chocolate chips into the second portion, shape, and place in pan. -Mix dried fruit and nuts into the third portion, shape, and place in pan. -Shape the last portion plain, to glaze after baking.
- Place each shaped dough into mini loaf pans. Cover and let rise 30–45 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Bake loaves for 20–25 minutes, until golden brown and hollow when tapped.
- Cool 10 minutes in pans, then transfer to a rack. Drizzle glaze over the plain loaf if desired.
Notes
You can swap dried fruits depending on what you have available, such as raisins, cranberries, or apricots.
Glazes can be flavored with vanilla, lemon, or almond extract.
These loaves are perfect for gifting—wrap in parchment and ribbon once cooled.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 25