Step 1: Add Dry Ingredients to the Pan: Follow your bread machine's recommended ingredient order (most machines specify liquids first, then dry ingredients). Pour the warm water into the pan, then add the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Place the butter in a corner. Add the cinnamon powder directly — it will mix into the dough during kneading, creating even cinnamon flavor throughout.

Step 2: Add Water and Butter: Make sure all ingredients are in the pan. Place the butter in the corner diagonally opposite the yeast — direct contact between salt, butter, and yeast can inhibit fermentation. Confirm the kneading paddle is properly installed.

Step 3: Add Raisins and Cinnamon at the Beep: If your bread machine has a fruit and nut dispenser, fill it with the soaked, drained raisins — the machine will add them automatically during the kneading cycle. If not, wait for the add-in beep (usually about 8 minutes into kneading), then open the lid and dump in the raisins. Don't add them at the beginning — the kneading paddle will pulverize them into paste.

Step 4: Select Sweet Bread Cycle: Choose the "Sweet Bread" or "French" cycle. Sweet bread cycles bake at a lower temperature to prevent the sugar from over-browning. Set weight to 2 pounds and crust color to "Medium." Press start. The machine will automatically complete: kneading (~15 min) → first proof (~40 min) → shaping → second proof (~50 min) → baking (~60 min), totaling about 3 hours.

Step 5: Remove, Cool, and Slice: When the cycle ends, immediately use oven mitts to remove the pan. Invert to release the loaf onto a cooling rack. Cool for at least 30 minutes — sweet bread has a high sugar content and will stick to the knife and deform if cut while hot. Once cooled, slice with a serrated knife to reveal the cinnamon swirl pattern and raisin distribution.