AMAZIN' RAISIN BREAD

2 cups scalded milk

2 pkgs yeast
1/2 cup butter
2 tsp cardamon
6 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix the scalded milk that has been cooled with two cups of the flour. Blend until smooth. Soften 2 packets of yeast in 1/2 cup lukewarm water; add to the milk mixture. Cover the bowl well and let stand in a warm place for 1 hour or until bubbly. Cream 1/2 cup butter and the sugar until light and fluffy; add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the salt and the cardamon. Mix this creamed mixture into the first mixture, blending well. Stir in 2 cups flour; add the raisins and mix in. Turn the batter out onto a well-floured board and knead in about 2 1/2 more cups of the flour. Knead until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl. Cover and let rise until double in size, about 2 hours. Shape into loaves and place in loaf pans that have been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Let rise in the pans about 1/2 hour until doubled in bulk. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes to one hour (depending on the size of your loaf pans). You can drizzle with powdered sugar frosting, if desired.

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