Ingredients

• For The Yeast Batter:
• Strong White Bread Flour – 100grams
• Yeast – 5grams
• Sugar – 1tsp
• Lukewarm Milk – 250ml
• For the Dough:
• Strong White Bread Flour – 350grams
• Unsalted Butter – 50grams
• Sugar – 50grams
• Salt – ½tsp
• Cashew Nuts – 25grams
• Pistachio – 25 grams
• Almonds – 25 grams
• Walnuts – 25 grams
• Raisins – 25grams
• Sultanas – 25grams
• Sweetened Dried Apple/Cranberries – 25grams
• Chopped Dates – 25grams
• Cinnamon Powder – ½tsp
• Egg – 1
• Yield – 1 loaf (approx 12 slices when cut)

How to Make Luxury Fruit Bread

• Chop all nuts and dried fruits (except raisins & sultanas) into same size bits.
• Mix together flour, yeast and sugar under the yeast batter. Now slowly beat in the milk to make a smooth batter.
• Cover with foil and leave for about 20 minutes until frothy.
• In a separate large bowl, mix in flour and salt. Rub in the butter.
• Mix in cinnamon powder, sugar and fruits.
• Beat the eggs. Mix it to the yeast batter. Mix in the flour & fruit mixture. Use a spatula to mix in the dough thoroughly.
• Knead the dough, add if necessary little flour, until it is smooth and no longer sticky.
• Cover with foil and leave it in the bowl, in a warm place for about 50-60 minutes, until risen and doubled in quantity.
• Butter a 900gram loaf tin. Spread the dough evenly. Do not press down. Only fill till three-quarters, as it will rise.
• Set the oven temperature to 200C/400F/Gas Mark 6. Bake in the centre of the oven for 20 minutes.
• Now loosely cover with foil sheet and bake for another 25 minutes. To check if loaf is cooked, take a skewer, pierce it through the middle, if it comes out dry then it is done. If the skewer returns with moist dough, then it needs at least 10-15 minutes more.
• Remove from the oven. Allow to cool completely. Slice and serve.
• Serve with Tea or Coffee.