Lardy Cake Monkey Bread Recipe

In a large bowl, combine bread flour, sugar, and butter. Use hands to mix until the mixture is the texture of breadcrumbs.

In a small jar, stir together the milk, yeast, and eggs. Pour three quarters of the liquid mixture on top of the dry ingredients and mix together. Add liquid, a tablespoon at a time until the mixture forms a soft dough.

Turn the mixture out onto a large, floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes.

Form the dough into a ball and place it in a clean mixing bowl covered with cling film. Set in a warm, dry place and let it rise for one hour.

Combine the raisins and the hot tea in a small bowl and let the mixture sit for about 45 minutes, then drain the raisins.

When the dough has risen, divide it into 16 equal-sized pieces. Flatten each piece into a disk about 8-cm in diameter, and place a teaspoon of cream cheese and a teaspoon of raisins in the center. Form the disk into a ball, with the sultanas and cream cheese in the centre.

Roll each ball in caster sugar, to coat. Place stuffed balls of dough into a cast iron skillet or round baking dish and cover with cling film. Set in a warm, dry place and let it rise for one hour.

Bake in a 350 degrees F fan oven/gas mark 6 for about 45 to 50 minutes, until the bread is cooked through and golden on top.

While the bread cooks, make the glaze. Stir together icing sugar, cream cheese, and milk to combine. If the mixture is too dry, add more milk a tablespoon at a time.

Drizzle it all over the monkey bread.