Sweet Holiday Fruit Bread: A Delightful Baked Treat

Table of Contents

- 4 Tbsp (50g) sugar
- 2 tsp (6g) instant dry yeast
- 2 Tbsp sunflower oil

- 4 Tbsp butter (softened)
- Dried cranberries (to taste, usually about 1/2 cup)
- Raisins (to taste, about 1/2 cup)

- Chopped walnuts (to taste, about 1/4 cup)
- 1 egg yolk (for glazing)
- 1 Tbsp milk (for glazing)

- Prep Time: 15 minutes (not including rising time)
- Cooking Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes (including rising time)

1. In a large bowl, combine the lukewarm milk and sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then sprinkle the instant dry yeast over the top. Let this mixture sit for about 5 minutes, allowing the yeast to activate and become bubbly.

1. Once the yeast is foamy, add the sunflower oil, egg, salt, and flour to the bowl. Begin mixing until the dough comes together. You can use a wooden spoon or your hands to combine the ingredients into a dough.
2. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky. If the dough feels too sticky, add a little more flour, but be careful not to add too much. The goal is a smooth, soft dough that’s easy to work with.
3. Once kneaded, place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, covering it with a damp kitchen towel. Let it rise for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.

1. After the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles. Roll it out into a large rectangle on a floured surface.
2. Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. This will help the filling stick and create a beautiful golden crust after baking.
3. Sprinkle the dried cranberries, raisins, and chopped walnuts evenly over the buttered dough. These dried fruits and nuts will add a wonderful mix of sweetness and texture to every bite.

Carefully roll the dough up from one edge to form a tight log. Pinch the edges of the dough to seal the roll, ensuring that the filling stays inside.

Place the rolled dough into a greased loaf pan, shaping it gently to fit. Cover the pan with a kitchen towel and allow it to rise again for about 30-45 minutes, until it’s puffed and nearly doubled in size.

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and 1 Tbsp milk to create a glaze for the bread. This will give the bread a golden, shiny finish once baked.
After the dough has risen, gently brush the egg yolk mixture over the top of the loaf, covering it evenly. This step is crucial for the visual appeal of the bread, giving it a beautiful golden crust that will make it irresistible.

1. Place the loaf in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown on top and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. The internal temperature of the bread should be about 90°C (190°F) when fully baked.

Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Slice the sweet holiday fruit bread into thick slices and enjoy it fresh out of the oven, or toasted with a pat of butter. The bread has a soft, fluffy texture with the perfect amount of sweetness from the fruit and nuts, and a hint of butter that elevates the flavor.