Looking for a delicious but simple treat to make at home? Then why not try out fruit loaves? Fruit loaves are a scrumptious treat you can enjoy any time of the day and year but are exceptionally popular during the holidays.
These loaves are tender and delicious with a mix of different candied or dry fruits like raisins, apricots and more. You can even add some nuts as well if you please! You can add almonds, cashews and whatever nut your heart desires!
So if you’re here looking for a new fruit loaf recipe or making your first-ever loaf, then check out our yummy beginner-friendly fruit loaf recipes down below!
Simple Fruit Loaf Recipe
If you ever ask yourself, “How do I make a classic fruit loaf?” then this recipe is for you. This takes 30 minutes to prepare, 2 hours to let the dough rest and 30 minutes to bake. You can enjoy a hefty 3 to 4 servings.
Ingredients you’ll be needing:
- Unsalted butter 55g (½ stick of butter)
- Warm milk 150ml (½ cup and 2 tablespoons)
- Yeast 1 ¾ teaspoon
- White bread flour 350g (2 ⅓ cups)
- Fine salt (¼ teaspoon)
- Granulated sugar (2 teaspoons)
- 1 egg (beaten)
- Zest of ½ lemon
- Dried apricots 50g (¼ cup) + chopped
- Raisins 100g (½ cup)
Directions on how to make a classic fruit loaf:
Step 1: Get yourself a small saucepan and melt your butter. Once done, let it cool off for a bit.
Step 2: Now it’s time to work with the yeast but depending on what yeast you using, here is how you can go about the two main kinds:
- Dried yeast – If you’re using dried yeast, add it, along with the sugar to your warm milk. For about 5 minutes, let that mixture rest (ideally in a warm place) until it becomes frothy.
- Instant yeast – If you’re using instant yeast, simply add this with your flour and voilà, you’re good to go for this step.
Step 3: Grab your mixer stand or a large bowl (either one) then add in your flour, salt and lemon zest. Then in a different bowl add your melted butter, egg and yeast mixture. (note: if you’re using instant yeast, you can add in your sugar and warm milk too.)
Step 4: Get your flour mixture and butter mixture then mix them all together until your dough is smooth for about 10 to 15 minutes.
First proving:
Step 1: Get a large bowl and lightly grease it. It depends on how you plan to grease it, you can either grease it with butter, vegetable oil, canola or even with a Crisco spray.
Step 2: Then grab your dough and shape it into a ball. Once done, place it in your greased-up bowl. With a clean towel cover your bowl and let it rest for about an hour, or until it doubles in size and make sure to leave it in a warm area.
Step 3: Get your dried fruits (raisins and apricots) and soak them for 45 minutes in hot water. Afterwards, drain and pat dry.
Shaping the dough:
Step 1: Once your dough is ready, with your hands, punch it in the centre and knock it back. Then take your dough and place it on a lightly floured surface.
Step 2: Ready a 1cm loaf pan! Get your dried fruit and dough and knead them together. You can either roll or flatten your dough into a rectangle, make sure it’s the same size as your loaf pan.
Step 3: Lastly, roll up your dough and tuck in the ends.
Second proving:
Step 1: Again, lightly grease your loaf pan then place the dough with the seam-side down.
Step 2: With a clean towel, cover the dough for about 45 minutes or until doubled in size. Make sure to keep this in a warm place.
Now it’s time to bake:
Step 1: Around 200°C, preheat your oven for about 5 to 10 minutes (depending on how fast your oven heats up)
Step 2: Then place your loaf pan in the oven. Keep it there to bake for about 30 minutes or when you start to notice it brown. To be more sure if it’s ready, consider doing the toothpick test or using a digital thermometer. It’s ready once your thermometer reads 85°C.
Step 3: Take your dough out of the oven and let it rest in a wire rack.
Note:
If you happen to not have bread flour, you can use all-purpose flour too. And for fruit suggestions, you can opt to add dried figs, ground cardamon, ground cinnamonf