HOBO BREAD, OLD FASHIONED RECIPE
Hobo Bread has been around for years. It is an old fashioned recipe that dates back as far as the pioneers. There are hundreds of different versions of hobo bread around. A lot of recipes for this bread call for soaking the raisins overnight with the soda and making this bread in coffee cans. I don’t have time for all that! This is my recipe that works great for me and my family loves it. Slather this bread with some butter while it’s warm, serve with coffee, tea or milk for a delicious treat anytime. You can add spices, nuts, fruits or whatever you like to this bread. Very few recipes for hobo bread contain eggs and I don’t put them in this one. The bread holds together fine without the eggs. You can reheat it and this bread keeps well in a cool spot or refrigerated. I have not tried doubling the recipe but feel you could if you wanted to make an extra loaf for a friend. You might also like our recipe for pumpkin banana muffins.
Hobo bread dates back to the pioneers.
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
3 tablespoons melted butter
1/2 cup broken pecans or walnuts
Soak raisins in 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!
Hobo Bread
Ingredients
- 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
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/2 cup broken pecans or walnuts
Instructions
- Soak raisins in 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
“All sorrows are less with bread. ” ―
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Do yok u use a cup of boiling water for the rest aisins AND another cup? Or just the cup you soaked the raisins in?
Only one cup of water, Pat, the one you soak the raisins in.
Southern lady by chance would you know the carbs in the hobo bread. Was wondering since I need to count the hectic things. A 1/4 inch slice. Much appreciated.
Sorry, Jodi, I don’t.
I love this recipe, I made it on Friday and it was such a success I’m making it again today. I added a teaspoon of mixed spice but apart from that I followed the recipe exactly. Thank you!
Oh goodness, that sounds like a great addition! So glad you enjoy the bread.
This caught my eye omg it’s delicious, flavorful, easy to make. I’ve read other tweaks so very interested n trying other additives. It’s good, definite keeper.
Thank you so much Jodi for the wonderful comment. We are happy you are enjoying the bread. Have a great week ahead.
Has anyone tried this recipe in muffin pans? I’m thinking it will be easier to know portion size, and freeze extras.
Thanks!
I make this again and again! My only tweak is to add 1Tablespoon of molasses. This recipe is so good, a friend keeps telling me I should sell the bread and I keep reminding her that it’s not my recipe!
Thank you, it’s a keeper!!
So glad you love it! We do too!
Our family as an almost identical recipe but it is called Soldiers Cake because it packed well to be sent to soldiers overseas. We put nutmeg and other flavorings and bake in a 13x9x2 pan.
I tried this recipe today …i made it with half raisins and half cranberries, I also added a tsp of cinnamon and 1/2 tsp of nutmeg….turned out great
Hey, Just finished trying to bake a second loaf after first failed. I followed the directions exactly as printed. The bread sunk in the middle, was bitter to taste, and was not done in the middle but beginning to burn on edges. Baked for 60 minutes. I have a thermometer in oven and know the temperature was correct. I do not live in a high altitude area. What did I do wrong? So wanted to be successful after all these wonderful reviews. Maybe I’m just not meant to be a baker!
Hi Jane, If you have made it twice with no success, I am almost afraid to advise you. I used a glass pan. I don’t know if that would make a difference. I looked on the internet and found this site with some tips you might read. I would probably not try again but find another recipe. lol. but if you want you can read these tips I found on the internet and see if they help you. So sorry, the recipe is not working for you. Click here for the info. http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/aug/05/fine-cooking-offers-tips-to-avoid-sunken-quick/
Thank you for taking the time to reply to my text. Thanks for the tip site. I’m saving it to favorites for future reference. I did use a metal pan so maybe I’ll try a glass one. Thank you again.
I have my favorite recipe in storage somewhere. It called for making 3 loaves and baked in 1# coffee can. As long as I used the coffee cans it always turned out but I had the same issues in a loaf pan. I am going to double this and try it in my bundt.
Could use oj or some other fruit juice to sub for part water? Or more flavor?
I have not tried using juice in this bread, but it may work fine.
Hi, I tried this for Thanksgiving. It was yummy. I was nervous because the batter was to thick. My mom and aunt remembered having this kind of bread with their Grandmother made it. I am off to try your Cinnamon Bread next. Thank you…
Hello Darla, so glad you enjoyed the Hobo Bread. We love this too! I hope you enjoy the Cinnamon Bread!
I’m sorry this recipe didn’t work out for you. If you read the comments you will see others have had success with this recipe and love it. Not every recipe works for all people.
My dough is too thick, definitely not enough liquid to even mix all of the dry ingredients. Is there supposed to be more water added?
The recipe works fine for me as written. If you think you need more water, you can try adding it,
Could I use whole wheat flour?
I think you could probably do half and half, but not sure it would work with all whole wheat flour.
Do you boil the water with the raisins in it the entire hour? I wasn’t sure if I was just supposed to boil water, take it off the stove and then let raisins soak. Forgive me if it’s a silly question ♀️
You bring the water to a boil, remove water from stove and add raisins and let them soak for one hour. Don’t ever hesitate to ask us Crystal if you are unsure. Hope you enjoy the recipe and have a great week ahead.
This recipe has no eggs?
That’s true, Vicki. It says above the recipe that I don’t use eggs in the recipe. Feel free to always ask if you are not sure, though.
Can you make it in a cast iron skillet?
I have not tried it in a skillet but see no reason why you couldn’t, Lorraine.
This is a lot like my mother’s Poor Man’s Cake. I would also add cinnamon and nutmeg The cake has no nuts, but they can be added. Mom ripped her cake with colored jimmies or sprinkles before baking You could do that with this, too. I plan to. And it’s Hobo for the same reason it’s Poor Man. No expensive ingredients like lard, eggs or milk. From the Depression.
This is terrible . Your bread was soooooo amazing that I cannot control myself from eating it, I can’t stop thinking about it. It’s that good. Thanks for sharing.
HA! I’m so glad you are enjoying this recipe! Have a wonderful week Lisa.
Is this batter supposed to be thick
Yes, Denise, the batter is kind of thick.
I made this bread, out of this world delicious, my family loved it, asking for more, I put cinnamon, nutmeg and a touch of allspice, soooo good!!!
So glad you and your family enjoyed this recipe. Thank you so much for letting me know! Have a wonderful week.
Do I add the entire cup of water that the raisins were soaked in?
Yes, add the raisins along with whatever water is left from the soaking.
Do you think you could use dried cranberries instead of raisins? We’re not much for raisins around here. Thanks. Enjoy your recipes!
Absolutely Mary! Enjoy.
I made the Hobo Bread this afternoon. It’s so good!
When I make a new recipe, I like to make it just as it’s written, but I wanted to make two loaves so I’d have one for a church dinner, I doubled the recipe. I didn’t have quite enough raisins so I used a few chopped dates.
Thank you for this recipe, I know I’ll make it often.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe Nadine. Thank you for taking the time to let me know! Have a wonderful weekend.
why is it called a HOBO bread
Maybe, because the original recipe was baked in a tin can, Kaytee.