Hobo Raisin Bread Recipe - Easy Breakfast - Vegan in the Freezer (2025)

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Published: October 25, 2017. Last Updated: January 24, 2024 by: Ginny McMeans

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Hobo Raisin Bread is a recipe that has been passed around for over a century, at least. 5 Ingredients not counting salt and water. 'You just have to bake this bread'. So easy.

Hobo Raisin Bread is easy. Extreeeemely easy! It's one of those recipes that's been passed around forever by all the mothers and aunts because 'you just had to bake this bread'.

There has never been any dairy involved. There are different versions as I did my research but none had eggs or butter. It bakes perfectly the way it is.

Humble, old-timey and it's just too delicious and easy to pass up.

The first five ingredients are 2 cups each which makes this quick bread fun to make too. Lots of raisins and it also toasts up perfectly.

This modernized recipe is no exception. Updated with coconut sugar all of the ingredients go into one bowl, mixed and then poured into a loaf pan to bake. That's all you do!

It's a dark sweet bread that is actually very cake like. Very moist and it works equally well as breakfast or dessert. After you give Hobo Raisin Bread a try I think you'll be passing around the recipe too.

You know, I have another quick bread that is super popular on the blog too. That one's a banana bread and it's gluten-free. Have you had an almond four quick breadyet?

I'm not gluten intolerant or allergic to it but I sure make things with almond flour nowadays. It has such a delicious taste. Of you'd like to see if you like it then this is the recipe that you should try.

Moist Gluten-Free Banana Bread is not too sweet so it's something that you can enjoy with all of the flavors coming through. Here's a picture of it.

Don't you think it looks good? Well, let me try to reign myself back on track and talk more about raisins and the ingenious simple bread that is called Hobo Bread. Love the name.

I can't find any real facts behind Hobo Bread except you can cook it in a coffee can or soup cans on a campfire as a hobo might have had to do.

And maybebecause many of the recipe's ingredients are the same measurement. That would be a lot easier since I presume that hobo's don't carry around measuring cups.

Maybe too because, traditionally, there aren't any eggs or milk in the recipe. Maybe it's all of the above. It's fun to think about anyway.

Store in airtight container or freeze.

The bread keeps a couple of weeks in the refrigerator or you could freeze it for a longer period of time in a rigid sided container. You can pre-slice it if you like.

SeePreparing Food for the Freezer for exact directions for freezing.

📋 Recipe

Hobo Raisin Bread

Ginny McMeans

Hobo Raisin Bread is a recipe that has been passed around for half a century, at least. 5 Ingredients. 'You just have to bake this bread'.

4.89 from 18 votes

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Ingredients

2 cups raisins
2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
2 cups coconut sugar
2 cups water
2 teaspoons baking soda
½ teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

Lightly grease a 5" X 9" Loaf Pan.
Pour all of the ingredients into a large mixing bowl.
Mix until just blended.
Pour into the prepared pan.
Bake at 350 for 1 hour.
Cool on a rack for 15 minutes before removing from the pan.
Remove from pan and let cool completely.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 362kcalCarbohydrates: 86gProtein: 6gFat: 1gSodium: 408mgPotassium: 353mgFiber: 5gSugar: 21gVitamin C: 1.6mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 2.8mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Anonymous
January 08, 2014 at 10:05 am
Made the bread can't wait to have a slice
Ginny McMeans
January 08, 2014 at 7:16 pm
I am jealous. Wish I was there with you!
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Jessica
October 25, 2017 at 7:06 am

I've never heard of hobo bread before. Love how simple and easy this bread is!
Elizabeth | The Recipe Revival
October 25, 2017 at 7:19 am
This looks so yummy! There are so many raisins in every bite and I love it! 🙂
Jeni @ Biscuits & Booze
October 25, 2017 at 8:00 am

I remember this bread! I think my grandmother used to put applesauce in hers. I love that you posted this recipe. I'm going to have to bake this up. Nothing tastes better than nostalgia!
Vicky
October 25, 2017 at 8:33 am

I need to make this bread! Love that it is dairy free and has been around for generations!
Gina
October 26, 2017 at 8:52 am

This is perfect for a recipe in a jar gift, especially for teachers. Thanks for sharing!
Ginny McMeans
October 28, 2017 at 8:59 pm
I'm at a loss. I don't get the tough part at all. And those were a lot of changes so it is crazy that it's the same. I'm really sorry you've had such problems. There are variations of hobo bread. Maybe you could check on one of those on the internet. None of them should have eggs or dairy.
Vaughn
October 28, 2017 at 10:36 pm

Looks so delicious
Bintu
October 29, 2017 at 4:26 am

This looks very tasty - and how great that it only needs a handful of ingredients!
Tina Lindquist
October 29, 2017 at 7:14 am

I have never heard of coconut sugar, how interesting. This looks easy AND delicious, going to have to try this!
Megan
October 29, 2017 at 8:13 am
Oooo I love that this doesn't use egg since I'm allergic!
Ginny McMeans
October 29, 2017 at 8:14 am
So very sorry!
Brandi
October 29, 2017 at 8:43 am

This looks so good. I love that it's only 5 ingredients.
Armina Brackeen
November 17, 2017 at 10:57 am
Do you have a gluten free alternative to this Hobo Raisin Bread?
Ginny McMeans
November 17, 2017 at 2:23 pm
I don't but I found one for you Armina. Click here - https://gfbakingfree.com/hobo-bread-gluten-free-egg-free-and-yeast-free-delicious/
Armina Brackeen
November 18, 2017 at 8:40 am
Thank you, Ginny.
I'm really enjoying your recipes for I have two adult children that are vegans and your recipes help me with cooking for them, and I enjoy this food, as well. Armina
Bianca
December 27, 2017 at 8:11 am
Do I need to use whole wheat pastry flour or can I just do 4 cups of white flour? I just don't have any on hand. Thanks !
Ginny McMeans
December 27, 2017 at 8:52 am
You can use white flour Bianca.
Bianca
December 27, 2017 at 9:47 am
Thanks!
Also, have you tried putting cinnamon in the bread? Would like to add some.
Ginny McMeans
December 27, 2017 at 10:49 am
No Bianca but I'm sure you could.
Anna
January 13, 2018 at 5:20 pm
Do you think all purpose gluten free flour would work?
Ginny McMeans
January 14, 2018 at 8:21 pm
It's suppose to work 1 to 1 measurement Anna. I would love to hear how it goes but it should work.
Gayle
April 27, 2020 at 10:35 pm

It tastes so good! Perfect instructions, thank you!
Larry
December 02, 2020 at 12:59 am
I used craisins instead raisins. I also used 3/4 tbl of blood orange balsamic oil. The batter tasted awesome. I'll let you know how it tastes when it's done baking.