Holiday Fruit Bread

Holiday Fruit Bread Recipe - Delicious and Flavorful

Preparation time: 1 hour | Cooking time: 50 minutes | Servings: 8

Introduction

Holiday Fruit Bread is a delicious and festive treat that is perfect for the holiday season. This sweet bread is packed with a variety of dried fruits and warm spices, making it a comforting and flavorful dessert or snack.

History

Holiday Fruit Bread has been a popular holiday treat for many years, with variations of the recipe being passed down through generations. This bread is often enjoyed during the Christmas season, but can be enjoyed year-round as well.

Ingredients

1 large egg
1.5 cups buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp grated lemon peel
milk for glaze
3 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cut into 0.25 inch pieces
1 cup golden raisins
0.75 cup chopped dates
0.5 cup chopped prunes
1 to 1.5 cups ruby port
fine yellow cornmeal for dusting
4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
0.5 cup sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
1.5 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
0.25 tsp ground cloves

How to prepare

In a shallow bowl, combine raisins, dates, prunes, and enough port to just cover.
Let it stand for 30 to 60 minutes.
Lightly oil a large baking sheet and dust it with cornmeal; set it aside.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (191°C).
In a large bowl, mix flour, 0.5 cup of sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and cloves.
Cut the butter into the dry ingredients with a pastry blender or rub it in with your fingers until the mixture resembles fine crumbs; set it aside.
In a small bowl, whisk the egg, then whisk in buttermilk, vanilla, and lemon peel.
Drain the fruit and discard the port.
Add the fruit to the flour mixture and toss it well.
Make a well in the flour mixture, add the buttermilk mixture, and stir briskly with a wooden spoon just until the dough pulls together in a mass.
Let it stand for 3 minutes.
Lightly dust the work surface and hands with flour.
Turn the dough out onto the surface and divide it in half.
Knead each half for 30 seconds, then pat it into 1-inch-thick circles.
Brush off any flour on the dough, then fold each circle in half (but not perfectly, the top should be set back from the bottom by about 1 inch).
Lightly brush the loaves with milk and sprinkle them generously with sugar (about 0.5 tbsp).
Transfer the loaves to the baking sheet.
Bake for 25 minutes.
Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (177°C).
Continue baking until the loaves are golden brown and crusty, for 20 to 25 minutes.
Transfer the loaves to a wire rack and cool them completely before slicing.
To store, wrap the cooled loaves in foil and refrigerate.

Variations

Add chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans for added crunch.
Swap out the dried fruits for your favorites, such as cranberries, apricots, or figs.
Drizzle a simple glaze made of powdered sugar and milk over the cooled loaves for added sweetness.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Make sure to soak the dried fruits in port for at least 30 minutes to allow them to plump up and absorb the flavors.

- Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can result in a tough bread. Mix just until the dough comes together.

- Brushing the loaves with milk and sprinkling sugar on top before baking will give the bread a beautiful golden crust.

- Allow the loaves to cool completely before slicing to ensure they hold their shape.

Serving Suggestions

Holiday Fruit Bread is delicious on its own, but can also be enjoyed with a spread of butter or cream cheese. It pairs well with a cup of hot tea or coffee.

Cooking Techniques

The key to making a successful Holiday Fruit Bread is to not overmix the dough and to allow the loaves to cool completely before slicing. This will ensure a tender and flavorful bread.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don't have buttermilk on hand, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes. You can also use regular milk in place of buttermilk.

Make Ahead Tips

Holiday Fruit Bread can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply wrap the cooled loaves in foil and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Presentation Ideas

Serve Holiday Fruit Bread on a festive platter or cake stand for a beautiful presentation. You can also sprinkle powdered sugar on top for a snowy effect.

Pairing Recommendations

Holiday Fruit Bread pairs well with a variety of beverages, such as hot tea, coffee, or a glass of port wine. It also goes well with a cheese platter for a savory-sweet contrast.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

To store Holiday Fruit Bread, wrap the cooled loaves in foil and refrigerate for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply slice the bread and warm it in the oven or toaster oven until heated through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Holiday Fruit Bread contains approximately 220 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of Holiday Fruit Bread contains approximately 40 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of Holiday Fruit Bread contains approximately 5 grams of fat.

Proteins

Each serving of Holiday Fruit Bread contains approximately 3 grams of protein.

Vitamins and minerals

Holiday Fruit Bread is a good source of iron, vitamin C, and potassium due to the dried fruits used in the recipe.

Alergens

This recipe contains dairy (butter, buttermilk, egg) and wheat (flour), which may be allergens for some individuals.

Summary

Holiday Fruit Bread is a moderately high-carb, low-fat treat that provides a good amount of vitamins and minerals from the dried fruits used in the recipe.

Summary

Holiday Fruit Bread is a delicious and festive treat that is perfect for the holiday season. Packed with dried fruits and warm spices, this sweet bread is sure to be a hit with family and friends. Enjoy it as a dessert, snack, or gift for loved ones during the holidays.

How did I get this recipe?

I remember the excitement I felt when I first saw this recipe for Holiday Fruit Bread. It was many years ago, when I was just a young girl, eager to learn the art of cooking from my grandmother. She was a wonderful cook, always whipping up delicious meals and treats for our family.

One day, as I sat in her cozy kitchen watching her knead dough for her famous cinnamon rolls, she handed me a worn and stained piece of paper. It was a recipe for Holiday Fruit Bread that she had acquired from a dear friend many years ago. The paper was yellowed with age, and the ink was faded, but the words were still legible.

As I read through the ingredients and instructions, my mouth watered at the thought of the sweet and tangy flavors melding together in a warm loaf of bread. I knew I had to learn how to make this recipe, and my grandmother was more than willing to teach me.

She patiently guided me through the process, showing me how to mix the flour, sugar, and yeast together to form the base of the bread. She then added in the dried fruits and nuts, explaining that each ingredient added its own unique flavor and texture to the bread.

As the dough rose and baked in the oven, the kitchen filled with the most amazing aroma. The sweet scent of cinnamon and nutmeg mixed with the fruity notes of the dried apricots and cranberries, creating a scent that I will never forget.

When the bread was finally ready, my grandmother sliced off a piece for us to try. The bread was warm and soft, with bursts of sweetness from the dried fruits and a crunch from the nuts. It was a perfect balance of flavors, and I knew that this recipe would become a staple in my own kitchen.

Over the years, I have made this Holiday Fruit Bread many times, each time thinking back to that day in my grandmother's kitchen. I have shared the recipe with friends and family, passing down the tradition of making this delicious bread to the next generation.

I have also added my own twist to the recipe, experimenting with different combinations of fruits and nuts to create new and exciting flavors. But no matter how many variations I try, the original recipe will always hold a special place in my heart.

I am grateful to my grandmother for teaching me how to make this Holiday Fruit Bread, and for instilling in me a love of cooking and baking. Her recipes are a treasure trove of memories and flavors, and I will always cherish the time we spent together in the kitchen, creating delicious meals and treats for our family.

As I write this story, I can almost smell the sweet aroma of the Holiday Fruit Bread baking in the oven, and I am filled with gratitude for the love and knowledge that my grandmother passed down to me. I will continue to make this recipe for years to come, honoring her memory with each warm and delicious loaf of bread.