Easter Inspired Fruit Loaf
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
This Easter inspired fruit loaf recipe will have you enjoying the yummy sweet taste of homemade hot cross buns all year round!
Author:
Recipe type: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: Bread
Serves: 24 (12 slices per fruit loaf)
Ingredients
  • 300ml milk
  • 60g caster sugar
  • 1 heaped tablespoon (approx. 15g) of dried yeast
  • 600g plain flour
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoons of ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon of ground allspice
  • ½ teaspoon of ground nutmeg
  • 60g of softened butter
  • 2 cups (350g) mixed fruit
  • 2 eggs
Instructions
  1. Put the milk in a microwave safe bowl and heat on high in 10 second bursts until it is just warm.
  2. Add the sugar and yeast to the milk and whisk to combine – cover this mixture with a tea towel and set aside for about 10 minutes or until it is frothy.
  3. Sift the flour into a large bowl and then also add the salt, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg – roughly mix.
  4. Chop the butter roughly into squares and add this to the flour – use your fingers to rub the butter into the flour until there are no lumps of butter left.
  5. To the flour mix add the mixed fruit, eggs and the frothy yeast/milk mixture and stir to combine.
  6. Turn the mixture out onto a lightly floured surface and knead the dough for around 5 minutes – until it all comes together and is smooth and elastic.
  7. Transfer the dough to a clean bowl that has been lightly greased, then roll the dough round in the bowl so the dough also becomes greasy - preventing it from sticking.
  8. Cover the bowl with cling wrap and place in a warm place for around 45 minutes or until it has doubled in size.
  9. Remove the cling wrap and punch the air out of the dough before turning it out onto a floured surface and lightly kneading.
  10. Divide the dough into two pieces and shape each into a short log.
  11. Place the dough into two standard loaf tins and cover and place in a warm place for 15 – 20 minutes (while waiting preheat the oven to 200°C/400 °F).
  12. Place the loaves into the oven and bake for 25 minutes – bread will be cooked when a hollow sound is heard when the loaf is tapped.
Notes
Sugar Glaze (Optional)
¼ cup of sugar
¼ cup of water

Bring the sugar and water to a low simmer and stir until the sugar is all dissolved before removing from the heat. Brush the loaves with the sugar glaze while they are still warm.
Recipe by The Links Site at https://thelinkssite.com/easter-inspired-fruit-loaf/