Spicy Fruit Bread

A treat when freshly baked and spread with butter, try toasted for breakfast the next day.

Ingredients make 1 loaf

450 g white bread flour

50 g caster sugar

2½ tsp mixed spice

2 sachets easy-blend yeast (14g)

150 ml warm milk

50 ml orange juice

1 egg

50 g butter

250 g mixed dried fruit

Method

Place flour, sugar, spices and yeast into a large mixing bowl, blend until evenly combined. Add milk, orange juice, egg and butter, blend until dough has formed. Knead the dough by hand or machine until smooth. Add the dried fruit and mix until fruit is evenly dispersed in the dough. Rest covered for approx. 60 minutes. Remove the dough from the bowl and place on a lightly floured kitchen table. Deflate the dough and form the dough into a log shape. Grease or spray (with nonstick cooking spray) a loaf pan. Place the loaf in the pan and prove covered for approx. 60 minutes. Preheat the oven to 200°C normal bake (fan forced) 180°C. Place the tray in the middle of the oven and bake for approx. 30 minutes. Allow cooling for at least 15 minutes before slicing.

Note: Mixed dried fruit is a blend of sultanas, dates, currants, citrus peel and glace cherries.