MOIST ITALIAN SWEET BREAD

Moist Italian Sweet Bread image

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h5m

Yield 3 loaves (16 slices each).

Number Of Ingredients 15

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1 cup milk
1 cup sugar
1 cup butter, cubed
1 cup raisins
2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
4 eggs
6 teaspoons anise extract
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup chopped red and green candied cherries
8 cups all-purpose flour
ICING:
1 cup confectioners' sugar
4 teaspoons milk

Steps:

In a small saucepan, combine the first four ingredients. Cook and stir over medium heat until butter is melted. Remove from the heat; cool to 110° to 115°., In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the butter mixture, eggs, extracts, nuts and cherries and 4 cups of flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. , Punch dough down; divide into thirds. Shape each portion into an oval loaf; place in three greased and floured 8x4-in. loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes. , Bake at 350° for 60-65 minutes or until golden brown. Cover loosely with foil if top browns too quickly. Remove from pan to wire racks to cool. , In a small bowl, beat icing ingredients until smooth; drizzle over cooled loaves.

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