Irish Potato Raisin Bread

In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast and 1 Tablespoon of sugar in warm water. Note: usually the packets found in the baking aisle are 1/4 ounce, but I’ve seen bigger too. So just make sure to check the size and only use 1/4 ounce.

Make your mashed potatoes: all this takes is a single, peeled, boiled potato mashed up without salt, milk or butter.

When the yeast looks no longer granulated add butter, eggs, potatoes, salt, remaining sugar and 2 cups flour.

Stir rapidly until smooth.

Stir in raisins and add enough of the remaining flour to form a soft dough. (Feel it out, I added little by little until it would no longer stick to my fingers like a batter but one that pulls away easily).

Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead until it is smooth and elastic.

Spray a large bowl with cooking spray and place dough in bowl. Turn it once so that the top is greased.

Cover with plastic wrap or a clean dish towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour until the dough has doubled. ( I like to turn on my oven low and place the bowl on the stove top and just let the heat from the oven rise enough to keep it warm because you don’t want it to be hot, just not drafty… Hahah what an explanation).

After dough has risen punch it down and then divide it into 8 equal ball portions.

Place the portions on a large greased cookie sheet (make sure you use a sheet with edges because this thing grows and you don’t want it to overflow) in the shape of a flower with one dough ball in the middle and the others on the outside touching the one in the middle. (See PW’s Buttered Rosemary Rolls – that’s that shape I’m talking about here).

Cover again with plastic or dish towel and let rise 20 more minutes.

Place baking sheet in 350 degree oven and bake 25-30 minutes until golden brown.

* Note: I made this bread last night at home for St. Patty’s Day at my job today. I was SO surprised by how much it grew in the oven. When it came out I had to test it of course. And I must say, it’s mmm with a nice slathering of butter. Just divine!

So far today it’s almost gone and it has gotten great reviews from my coworkers!

Enjoy your massively huge delicious bread!