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You are here: Home / Breakfast / Soft Yogurt Raisin Bread (Easy Chinese Raisin Bread Recipe)

Soft Yogurt Raisin Bread (Easy Chinese Raisin Bread Recipe)

January 7, 2026 by Nana Leave a Comment

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I used the bread machine to make this loaf, just like when I make black sesame bread. The machine comes with a fruit dispenser, so I added raisins and dried cranberries.

Everything was prepared the night before at 9:00 PM. From start to finish, my hands never touched the dough—I simply measured the ingredients, set the delay timer, and by morning, a warm loaf was ready.Yogurt Raisin Bread (2)

I can’t help but admire how convenient modern kitchen technology has become.

When I woke up, the whole house was filled with the smell of freshly baked bread.

I knew the bread was ready, and the kids couldn’t wait to eat it.

If you have a bread machine, this is definitely a recipe you don’t want to miss.Yogurt Raisin Bread (3)Yogurt Raisin Bread (1)

Ingredients and Substitutions

  • Milk – I recommend using whole milk for the richest flavor and to help create a soft, tender crumb. It’s the liquid base that brings the dough together.
  • Yogurt – Using plain, thick yogurt (like Greek or Balkan-style) is the secret to this bread’s amazing softness and slight tang. It adds moisture, fat, and acidity that tenderizes the gluten for a perfect texture.
  • Egg – One whole egg enriches the dough, adding structure, a beautiful golden color, and extra softness to the finished loaf.
  • High-Gluten Flour – This is essential for bread machine recipes. Its high protein content develops the strong gluten network needed to support the raisins and cranberries and to give the loaf its classic tall, soft structure. Do not substitute with all-purpose flour here.
  • Milk Powder – This is a flavor powerhouse that intensifies the milky, creamy notes in the bread. While you can omit it, adding it makes the flavor so much more delicious and rich.
  • White Sugar – We use just enough to lightly sweeten the bread, balance the tang of the yogurt, and provide crucial food for the yeast to ensure a good rise.
  • Butter – Softened butter is key for richness and that melt-in-your-mouth texture. It coats the gluten strands, resulting in a supremely tender crumb and a fantastic flavor.
  • Salt – A necessary ingredient to balance the sweetness and enhance all the other flavors in the bread. Never skip it.
  • Highly Active Yeast – This is the engine of the recipe. Make sure your yeast is fresh for a reliable and vigorous rise that gives the bread its light, airy texture.
  • Raisins & Dried Cranberries – The classic sweet-and-tart combo. Be sure to rinse them to remove any dust or coating, which helps them integrate better into the dough. Pat them dry so they don’t add extra moisture.

How to Make Yogurt Raisin Toast Bread (Bread Machine)

Prepare the Ingredients

Weigh all the bread dough ingredients accurately. Soften the butter to room temperature in advance. Rinse the raisins and dried cranberries, then drain thoroughly and set aside.

Add Ingredients to the Bread Machine

Pour the milk, yogurt, and egg into the bread machine pan in this order. Add the bread flour, milk powder, sugar, salt, and instant yeast. Finally, add the softened butter on top.Add Ingredients to the Bread Machine

Place the prepared raisins and dried cranberries into the bread machine’s fruit dispenser and close the lid securely.Place the prepared raisins and dried cranberries into the bread machine’s fruit dispenser

Set the Delay Program

Select the bread machine’s “Bread” function with automatic fruit addition. Set the delay timer to 11 hours, ensuring the bread finishes baking around 8:00 AM the next morning. Start the machine.
The bread machine will automatically handle kneading, fermentation, fruit addition, and baking.

Cool and Slice

Once baking is complete, wear heat-resistant gloves and carefully remove the loaf from the pan.Once baking is completeremove the loaf from the pan

Transfer it to a cooling rack and allow it to cool until no longer hot to the touch.

Slice only after the bread has fully cooled to prevent crumbling. Serve and enjoy.Slice only after the bread has fully cooled

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this bread without a bread machine?
Absolutely! You can mix and knead the dough by hand or with a stand mixer until smooth and elastic (about 15-20 minutes by hand). Let it rise in a greased bowl until doubled. Punch it down, knead in the dried fruit, shape it into a loaf, and place it in a greased loaf pan. Let it rise again until nearly doubled, then bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 30-35 minutes, until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.

My bread didn‘t rise properly. What happened?
The most common culprit is old or inactive yeast. Always check the expiration date. Another reason could be if the yeast came into direct contact with the salt or liquid during loading, which can inhibit it. Ensuring the yeast is in a small flour well helps prevent this.

Can I use different dried fruits or nuts?
Yes, this recipe is very adaptable. You can use any combination of dried fruit like chopped apricots, blueberries, or cherries. Just keep the total weight around 80g. Toasted walnuts or pecans (about 50g) would also be a delicious addition.

How do I store this bread?
Once completely cool, store the loaf in a bread bag or airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, slice it, wrap it tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Toast slices directly from frozen.

Yogurt Raisin Bread (2)
Print Pin

Fluffy Yogurt Bread with Raisins | No-Knead Bread Machine Recipe

This soft yogurt raisin bread is made entirely in the bread machine with no kneading required. Yogurt makes the loaf extra fluffy and tender, while raisins and cranberries add gentle sweetness. Prepare everything the night before, set the timer, and wake up to warm, freshly baked bread in the morning.
Course Breakfast
Cuisine Chinese
Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
Waiting Time 11 hours hours
Calories 2064kcal

Ingredients

For the Dough

  • 90 g whole milk
  • 80 g plain thick yogurt e.g., Greek-style
  • 1 large egg approx. 50 g
  • 300 g high-gluten flour bread flour
  • 15 g milk powder
  • 30 g white sugar
  • 50 g unsalted butter softened
  • 3 g salt
  • 3 g highly active yeast instant or bread machine yeast

For the Fruit Mix-Ins

  • 50 g raisins rinsed and patted dry
  • 30 g dried cranberries rinsed and patted dry

Instructions

Prepare the Ingredients

  • Weigh all the bread dough ingredients accurately. Soften the butter to room temperature in advance. Rinse the raisins and dried cranberries, then drain thoroughly and set aside.

Add Ingredients to the Bread Machine

  • Pour the milk, yogurt, and egg into the bread machine pan in this order. Add the bread flour, milk powder, sugar, salt, and instant yeast. Finally, add the softened butter on top.
  • Place the prepared raisins and dried cranberries into the bread machine's fruit dispenser and close the lid securely.

Set the Delay Program

  • Select the bread machine's “Bread” function with automatic fruit addition. Set the delay timer to 11 hours, ensuring the bread finishes baking around 8:00 AM the next morning. Start the machine.
  • The bread machine will automatically handle kneading, fermentation, fruit addition, and baking.

Cool and Slice

  • Once baking is complete, wear heat-resistant gloves and carefully remove the loaf from the pan.
  • Transfer it to a cooling rack and allow it to cool until no longer hot to the touch.
  • Slice only after the bread has fully cooled to prevent crumbling. Serve and enjoy.

Nutrition

Calories: 2064kcal | Carbohydrates: 319g | Protein: 58g | Fat: 55g | Saturated Fat: 33g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 307mg | Sodium: 1375mg | Potassium: 988mg | Fiber: 16g | Sugar: 66g | Vitamin A: 1852IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 400mg | Iron: 6mg

Filed Under: Breakfast, Bun and Bread

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My name is Nana, and I am the person behind this blog and the creator of the recipe videos. I was born in Zhejiang Province, China, and I am a mother of two. I love life and enjoy good food, which is why I started this journey of sharing delicious recipes that you can easily make at home.

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My name is Nana, and I am the person behind this blog and the creator of the recipe videos. I was born in Zhejiang Province, China, and I am a mother of two. I love life and enjoy good food, which is why I started this journey of sharing delicious recipes that you can easily make at home.

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