A tender, lovely bread, with great flavors. You could change the fruit to suit your tastes, but the rum-raisin combo is mighty good. An excellent bread to serve up for company, or to treat yourself.
To make the bread: Combine the rum and raisins in a small, nonreactive bowl and set aside to soak for about 30 minutes.
Weigh your flour; or measure it by gently spooning it into a cup, then sweeping off any excess. Place the remaining ingredients into the bucket of your bread machine in the order listed, select the dough cycle, and press Start.
When the machine beeps for additions, add the raisins and any remaining rum. Check the consistency of the dough, adjusting it with a tablespoon more water or flour if necessary to make a smooth ball of dough. Let the machine complete its cycle.
To shape and bake: Gently deflate the risen dough, divide it into thirds, and fold each piece over on itself so the cut edge is inside the ball of dough. Cover and let the dough rest for 10 minutes.
On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece of dough to a 12" rope. Place two of the pieces on a piece of parchment crossing each other. Lay the third piece over the top. Braid the bread from the center to the ends on both sides. (Braiding this way keeps the dough more uniform instead of having one long, stretched-out end.) Pinch the ends together and tuck them underneath.
Cover with greased plastic and let the braid rise for 30 to 45 minutes, until almost doubled. Toward the end of the rising time, preheat the oven to 375°F. Brush the top of the bread with egg wash, if desired. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a deep golden brown and the center reads 190°F when measured with a digital thermometer. Remove from the oven and cool completely before glazing.
To make the glaze: Combine the confectioners' sugar with enough rum to make a spreadable glaze. Drizzle or brush the glaze on top of the braid.
If desired, replace the rum with 1 to 2 tablespoons (14g to 28g) milk mixed with 1/4 teaspoon rum extract or butter-rum flavor.
