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When the holidays roll around, I can't help but whip up my dried fruit and spice bread. The smells coming from the oven take me right back to those winter mornings as a kid. I came up with this treat one day when I was in the mood for something warm and festive in my kitchen.
A bread that brings pure joy
What gets me about this bread is how everything feels in your mouth. The soft dried fruits, the crunchy almonds, and those spices that make the whole house smell amazing. I often mix it up at night so I can wake up and enjoy it with a steaming cup of coffee.
Shopping list for a comforting loaf
- Flour: 250g for that soft, fluffy texture
- Dried fruits: 200g whatever mix makes you happy
- Almonds: 100g whole and toasted
- Brown sugar: 80g for those caramel hints
- Eggs: 2 fresh ones
- Cinnamon: A spoonful that smells like Christmas
- Mixed spices: A spoonful for extra aroma
- Whole milk: 100ml exactly
- Melted butter: 100g for richness
- Yeast: One packet for the right rise
- Salt: A pinch that makes all the difference
- Vanilla: A few drops of pure heaven
Kitchen magic happens
- Getting the fruits ready
- I chop up the apricots and prunes then toss them with raisins and almonds in my big blue bowl.
- Bringing the dough to life
- In my favorite mixing bowl, I combine flour, yeast, spices, sugar and salt. Then I add eggs, milk, butter and vanilla until everything looks smooth.
- Adding the goodies
- I gently fold in all my dried fruits, making sure they spread out evenly through the mixture.
- Perfect baking time
- My oven warms to 180°C while I pour the batter into a buttered loaf pan and let it bake for 45 minutes of wonderful magic.
- The tasty waiting game
- After cooling, I take the bread out of the pan and try to wait a full day before eating so all the flavors can really come together.
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My tasty little tricks
Sometimes I throw in chocolate chips or swap some fruits for roasted hazelnuts. The bread stays fresh for days in my tin box and actually tastes better with time. The toughest part is not eating it all right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I swap the dried fruits?
- Of course! Mix it up with figs, dates, or cranberries. Just keep the total amount consistent for best results.
- → How should I store this bread?
- Store it in an airtight container or bag for up to a week. It's actually tastier after the flavors settle overnight.
- → Can I freeze it?
- Yes, it holds up well in the freezer for about 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight and give it a quick warm-up before enjoying.
- → How can I check if it’s done baking?
- Stick a knife in the middle—if it comes out clean and the crust is golden with edges pulling slightly from the pan, it's ready.
- → Can I cut back on the sugar?
- You can reduce it to 60g since the fruits naturally sweeten the bread. It'll stay light and fluffy but taste less sugary.