Orange Bread II (Bread Machine)

By jeaninemg

From the cookbook Big Book of Bread Machine Recipes. I added the optional raisins and nuts. We like this bread used for French toast. Try a freshly baked slice with wildflower honey!

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 3 cups unbleached white flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated orange zest
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 ounces warm water
• 3/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/2 cup raisins (optional) or 1/2 cup cranberries (optional)
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds (optional)

Preparation

Step 1

1 Place all ingredients except for raisins and nuts into the bread pan according to bread machine manufacturer's instructions. 2 Add raisins and nuts if using at the fruit/nut beep cycle. 3 Keep leftover baked bread refrigerated.

If you want to make a braid bread, set bread machine on dough. Take it out, add the raisins, cranberries, and nuts, and shape into loaf. Set on baking sheet sprayed with Pam, cover and let rise in a warm place until double in size and bake at 375 for 30 to 40 minutes, or until nice and browned on top. After it has cooled, you can add a glaze made with powdered sugar and orange juice.