Hobo bread

This was a simple bread made over a hobo campfire in an empty tin can. Since beans were a staple of most hobos in the 1920's and 30's, it made sense to use everything you had available. Tin cans were often used as cooking vessels to heat meals, water for coffee and breads like this. Today most people use bread pans. But either way the bread is delicious.

Hobo Bread

1 cup raisins

1 cup boiling water

2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

3 tablespoons melted butter

1/2 cup broken or chopped pecans or walnuts

Soak raisins in one cup of boiling water for one hour.  Do NOT pour off extra water.  Whisk together flour, sugar, salt, baking soda in a large bowl.  Pour in soaked raisins with extra water, vanilla extract and butter.  Mix with a spoon.  Fold in nuts.  Spray a 9 x 5 loaf pan with cooking spray.  Spread dough in pan.  

Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 45 to 50 minutes or until center tests done. Remove from oven and cool in pan for 10 minutes before removing.  You could add a powdered sugar glaze to this bread if desired.  Makes 1 loaf.  Enjoy!