Festive Fruit Bread
Serve up this delicious bread or wrap as a gift for family and friends over the festive season.
Preparation Time: 30 mins
Cooking Time: 40 mins
Extra Time: 1 hr
(for standing)
Yield: 22 x slices (1 loaf)
Ingredients
- 1 oz fresh yeast, crumbled or 1 sachet dried yeast
- 1 cup nonfat milk, warm
- 1 tsp sugar
- 3 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 Tbsp sugar substitute
- 1 tsp mixed spice
- 1/3 cup mixed peel
- 1/2 cup currants
- 2 Tbsp reduced-fat margarine or buttery spread, melted
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 egg, extra
- 1 Tbsp nonfat milk, extra
- 1 Tbsp flaked almonds
- 2 tsp mixed peel, extra
Directions:
Combine yeast, 1 cup milk and a teaspoon each of sugar and flour in a small bowl. Stand in a warm place until the mixture becomes frothy, about one hour.
Sift remaining flour, sugar substitute and spice into a large bowl. Stir in 1/3 cup peel and currants.
Combine margarine and 2 lightly beaten eggs with yeast mixture and pour into flour. Mix to soft dough. Transfer to floured board and knead for 5 to 10 minutes or until smooth and the dough springs back when pressed.
Spray a bowl with cooking spray, place the dough inside and cover with a damp tea towel and rest in a warm place for 45 minutes.
Punch down dough and knead until smooth. Divide mixture into three pieces and roll each into a long strand. Braid strands together and bring ends together to form a ring. Spray a baking tray with cooking spray and place loaf on the tray.
Lightly beat the extra egg and mix with 1 tablespoon milk. Brush this glaze over the top of loaf. Sprinkle with almonds and the extra peel. Bake in a moderate 350ºF oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown.
Tips:
As a food gift, package and tie with a bow!