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CHRISTMAS BREADS

Preheat oven Electric 200 C/Fan 180 C, Gas 6

Equipment

  • mixing bowl
  • small dish
  • jug
  • wooden spoon
  • rolling pin
  • 1lb loaf tin greased and floured
  • Baking tray lined with baking parchment

Ingredients

  • 400 g strong plain flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 50 g caster sugar
  • 50 g butter
  • 25 g fresh yeast
  • ¼ tsp caster sugar
  • ½ tsp Allspice
  • ¼ tsp Mixed Spice
  • 50 g cranberries
  • 25 g sultanas
  • 25 g raisins
  • 25 g chopped apricots
  • 25 g chopped dates
  • 1 fig finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp rum
  • 25 g pistachio nuts
  • ½ pint warm water approx.,
  • 100 g marzipan

Instructions

  • Place fruits in bowl, add rum and leave to stand
  • Mix yeast with ¼tsp sugar and 2floz water – leave to froth
  • Chop nuts
  • Sieve flour, salt and spices into bowl
  • Rub in butter
  • Stir in sugar
  • Add fruits and nuts
  • Mix well
  • Add yeast and enough liquid to make soft dough
  • Beat until smooth, cover and leave to rise (1 hour+)
  • Shape marzipan into sausage
  • Knead dough and divide roughly in half
  • Knead one half and shape into ‘roll’ to fit tin
  • Roll remaining dough and place marzipan downside, fold over dough and prove for 40mins or until well risen
  • Bake for approx. 30mins, should sound hollow