Easy Sweet Bread Recipe with Raisins (for Beginners)

I wasn’t planning to bake anything, but the kids really wanted something warm and fresh. At first, I didn’t think we had any ingredients to bake something good, but when I checked, I found just a few simple ingredients—just enough for this easy sweet bread recipe that turned out to be absolutely amazing.

Watch my video below for a simple, step-by-step recipe for creating this delicious Sweet Raisin Bread. If you enjoy it, don’t forget to like and subscribe for more easy and tasty baking recipes!

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Why This Easy Sweet Bread Recipe Is So Good

This Easy Sweet Bread Recipe is a classic. Make it once, and you’ll find yourself baking it again and again—it’s just that good! Every time I bake a loaf, it disappears within hours.

Here’s why you’ll love this rasin bread: 

• Super soft bread – This isn’t dry or dense. It’s fluffy, with just the right amount of chewiness, and stays soft for days (if it lasts that long!).
• An easy homemade treat – No complicated techniques, no special tools—just mix, knead, let it rise, and bake.
• Perfect balance of sweetness – It’s lightly sweet, making it great for breakfast, a snack, or even alongside a cup of tea in the evening.
• A fun family-friendly baking project – Kids love helping with this one! Whether it’s kneading the dough, rolling it into shapes, or sneaking a few raisins while they work, it’s a great way to get everyone involved.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe is just straightforward bread-making with regular pantry items. What I appreciate is how it uses basic ingredients I usually have on hand. The raisins add sweetness without needing anything fancy.

• Active dry yeast – ¾ tbsp (7 grams)
• Lukewarm water – 7/8 cup (207 ml)
• Sugar (for yeast activation) – ½ tbsp (6 grams)
• Vegetable oil – ¼ cup (60 ml)
• Eggs (room temperature) – 2 pieces
• Sugar – ¼ cup (50 grams)
• Salt – 1 tsp (5 grams)
• All-purpose flour – 4 cups (500 grams)
• Soaked raisins – ½ cup (75 grams)
• Poppy seeds (optional, for topping)

My doughnut pan totally saved this recipe – no more doughy middles, and my kids think eating “bread donuts” is the coolest breakfast ever!

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How to Make This Sweet Bread Recipe with Raisins

Making homemade bread might sound complicated, but this recipe is surprisingly simple. Don’t worry if you’re new to baking, this sweet bread recipe is perfect for beginners.

Follow these steps below, and you’ll have a warm, fresh-baked loaf that fills your kitchen with the most amazing aroma!

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Grab a large bowl and mix the yeast, lukewarm water, and a little sugar. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until it gets nice and foamy. If nothing happens, your yeast might be old—time to swap it out for a fresh packet!

Note: Use lukewarm water, not hot! If it’s too hot, it can kill the yeast, and your dough won’t rise.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

Add in the oil, crack in the eggs, and add the sugar and salt. Give it a good stir, then start adding the flour bit by bit. As the dough thickens, it’ll get harder to mix—when that happens, it’s time to ditch the spoon and get your hands in there!

Step 3: Knead and Let It Rise

Now for the fun part—kneading! Work the dough for about 10 minutes until it’s smooth, stretchy, and no longer sticky. Once it feels soft and elastic, shape it into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover it with a towel and let it rise in a warm spot for about an hour.

Step 4: Add the Raisins

Once the dough has puffed up and doubled in size, give it a gentle press to release some air. Now, knead in the soaked raisins, making sure they’re spread out evenly so every bite has that sweet, juicy goodness. This step is what gives raisin bread its signature flavor and texture!

Step 5: Shape and Rest

Tear off small pieces of dough and roll them into 7-inch strips as you see me doing in the video below. Shape them into rings and place them on a greased baking tray (or a doughnut pan if you have one).

Tip: Dough sticking to your hands? Lightly flour them to make shaping easier!

Step 6: Let It Rest Again

Brush the dough rings with beaten egg for that gorgeous golden color, then let them rest for another hour. This final rise is what makes the bread light, fluffy, and irresistibly soft.

Tip: Before baking, sprinkle the dough rings with poppy seeds, if you want, for a bit of extra flavor and texture.

Step 7: Bake Until Golden

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake for 20–25 minutes until the tops turn a perfect golden brown. The smell of classic baked goods fresh out of the oven? Absolutely unbeatable. Let them cool for a few minutes (if you can wait!), then dig in!

Try Another Delicious Bread Recipe! If you loved this easy bread recipe, you might want to try something a little different next time, like this Cottage Cheese Bread—packed with protein, super soft, and perfect for breakfast or a snack.

How to Serve This

There’s nothing better than slicing into warm, freshly baked bread. I love mine with butter, but a spoonful of jam or honey makes it even better.

If you have leftovers (which rarely happens in my house!), this raisin bread recipe is easy to repurpose. Toast a slice the next morning for a crunchy, caramelized treat, or turn it into French toast. Since it’s made with a sweet yeast dough recipe, it stays soft for days!

More Great Baking Ideas

If you enjoyed this quick bread recipe, there are plenty of other delicious homemade bakes to try! Baking at home doesn’t have to be complicated—sometimes the best recipes are the easiest ones. Here are a few ideas to keep your oven busy:

• Best Cheesy Pull-Apart Garlic Bread – Loaded with gooey cheese and garlic, this bread is an instant crowd-pleaser. It’s soft on the inside with a perfectly crispy crust, making it a great beginner bread recipe for anyone who loves savory bakes.
• Crusty No-Knead Bread Without a Dutch Oven – No kneading, no fuss—just a crispy, artisan-style loaf. This is the easiest way to get bakery-quality bread at home.
• 3-Ingredient Cloud Bread – Light, fluffy, and made with just three ingredients, this bread is almost too easy. It’s a great low-carb option that still feels like a treat, perfect for anyone looking for quick baking ideas without complicated steps!
• Healthy Oatmeal Bread Recipe – Packed with fiber and wholesome ingredients, this bread is perfect for a healthy diet. It’s a lightly sweet bread that pairs well with jam or nut butter, making it a delicious and nutritious choice.

Try one of these simple baked recipes and let me know which becomes your new favorite!