Hunger Games Burnt Nut Bread

Stir together the flour, sugar, salt, yeast, and 11/4 tsp. cinnamon in a mixing bowl (or in the bowl of an electric mixer). Add the egg, 2 Tbsp. melted butter, buttermilk, and water. Stir together with a large spoon (or mix on low speed with the paddle attachment) until the ingredients come together and form a ball. Add more flour or water if the dough seems too sticky or too dry.

Sprinkle flour on a counter, transfer the dough to the counter, and begin kneading (or mixing on medium speed, switching to the dough hook). The dough should be soft and pliable, tacky but not sticky. Add flour as you knead (or mix), if necessary, to achieve this texture. Knead by hand for approximately 10 minutes (or by machine for 6 to 8 minutes). Sprinkle in the raisins and walnuts during the final 2 minutes of kneading (or mixing) to distribute them evenly and to avoid crushing them too much. (If you are mixing by machine, you may have to finish kneading by hand to distribute the raisins and walnuts evenly.)

Lightly oil a large bowl and transfer the dough to the bowl, rolling it to coat it with oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.

Let the dough rise at room temperature for approximately 2 hours, or until doubled in size.

Divide the dough into 2 equal pieces and form them into loaves. Place each loaf in a lightly oiled 81/2 by 41/2-inch pan and cover loosely with plastic wrap.

Let rise at room temperature for 60 to 90 minutes, or until the dough crests above the lips of the pans and is nearly doubled in size.

Bake at 350 for 40 - 50 minutes. The finished loaves should be golden brown on top and lightly golden on the sides and bottom. They should make a hollow sound when thumped on the bottom.

Immediately remove the loaves from their pans. Mix together the granulated sugar and 2 Tbsp. ground cinnamon for the topping in a shallow plate. Brush the tops of the loaves with melted butter as soon as they come out of the bread pans, and then roll them in the cinnamon sugar. Cool loaves on a rack for at least 1 hour before slicing.