Spiced Fruit Loaf

How to make a delicious spiced fruit loaf, simple step by step instructions from start to finish

Ingredients

400g / 14oz Strong white bread flour
230g /mls/ 8oz Milk (2% / Semi skimmed)
120g / 4oz Mixed fruit
1 large egg (beaten)
30g / 1oz Vegetable oil or softened butter
40g / 1½oz Sugar
8g / 2tsp Mixed spice (Cinnamon, Coriander Seed, Nutmeg, Clove, Pimento, Ginger.)
7g Instant or active dried yeast
4g / ½tsp Salt
Glaze ingredients
20g hot water
20g Sugar

Start the recipe by first proofing the yeast by adding it to the 40°C /104°F milk and sugar and egg, set it aside until it foams up.
Mix all of the dry ingredients together in a separate bowl and mix thoroughly.
To a stand mixer add the yeast mixture, oil, and flour mixture.
Using the dough hook knead the dough on the slowest speed until it releases from the sides of the bowl, this could anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes.
Turn out the dough onto a floured surface and form into a ball, place the dough ball into a lightly oiled bowl cover and allow to rise for at least 1 hour.

Grease a 900g / 2lb Loaf tin/pan
After the 1 hour the dough should have at least doubled in size, knock it back and form it into a fat sausage shape and place it in the greased loaf pan/tin.
Sprinkle a little flour on the dough and cover it with lightweight dry tea towel, set you timer for 1 hour, this time may vary depending on the temperature of your kitchen.
When there’s only 10 minutes left on your timer, preheat your oven to 180°C / 355°F/Gas mark 4.
When the dough has risen to 1½in / 40mm above the top of the loaf pan/tin get it into the preheated oven and set your timer for 30 minutes.
When the times up get it out of the oven, remove it from the tin and place the loaf on a wire rack.
While the loaf is still hot brush the glaze on the top of the loaf with a 50/50 sugar and water syrup, see ingredients list for the glaze quantities, if you prefer you can use lemon juice instead of water to make up the glaze.
Allow to completely cool, about 30 minutes.
Slice and serve with butter and or jam.
Enjoy.