A delightful cinnamon and raisin bread with a hint of orange zest, perfect for breakfast or a snack.
Add the warm water, egg, salt, vanilla extract, and sugar to the bread machine bucket.
Ensure the water is warm but not hot to activate the yeast properly.
Add the flour, cinnamon, orange zest, and yeast on top of the wet ingredients.
Make a small well in the flour to place the yeast, keeping it separate from the wet ingredients initially.
Set the bread machine to the fruit/nut rapid setting and start the cycle.
Check the dough after a few minutes of mixing to ensure it forms a smooth ball; adjust with water or flour if needed.
Add the raisins when the machine signals for additional ingredients.
Soaking the raisins in warm water beforehand can make them plumper and juicier.
Once the baking cycle is complete, remove the bread from the machine and let it cool on a wire rack.
Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing to maintain its structure.