Raisin-Stout Loaves

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup golden raisins
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1/2 cup warm water (100° to 110°)
• 1 package dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
• 5 tablespoons honey, divided
• 1 cup stout or other dark beer, at room temperature
• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided (about 14 1/2 ounces)
• 1 cup whole-grain rye flour (about 4 ounces)
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
• Cooking spray

Preparation

1. Combine raisins and 1 cup boiling water in a small bowl; let stand 10 minutes. Drain and reserve raisins.
2. Combine warm water, yeast, and 1 tablespoon honey in a bowl; let stand 5 minutes or until bubbly. Add remaining 1/4 cup honey and beer; mix well.
3. Lightly spoon flours into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine 3 cups all-purpose flour, rye flour, and salt in a large bowl; make a well in center of mixture. Add yeast mixture to flour mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic (about 7 minutes); add enough of the remaining all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, to prevent dough from sticking to hands (dough will feel sticky). Flatten dough; top with raisins and walnuts. Fold over dough sides to cover; knead until raisins and walnuts are well distributed. Place dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to coat top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 1 1/4 hours or until doubled in size. (Gently press two fingers into dough. If indentation remains, dough has risen enough.)
4. Punch dough down; turn out onto a floured surface. Knead 1 minute; cover and let rest 5 minutes. Divide dough into 2 equal portions. Roll each half into an 8-inch-long football shape. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover and let rise 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
5. Preheat oven to 450°.
6. Uncover dough, and make 3 (1/4-inch-deep) diagonal cuts across top of each loaf using a sharp knife. Bake at 450° for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350° (do not remove loaves from oven); bake the loaves for 30 minutes or until browned on bottom and sound hollow when tapped. Cool on a wire rack 30 minutes before slicing.