Fruit cake

Sweet Bread with Dried Fruits – a recipe full of flavors and traditions

Sweet bread is a delicacy that delights festive tables, with deep roots in culinary tradition. Over time, this dish has evolved, but its essence remains to bring joy and warmth into our homes. Today, I propose a delicious version of this dessert, combining the sweetness of dried fruits with the fluffy texture of the dough. Let's get started!

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Rising time: 1 hour
Baking time: 50-60 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Number of servings: 10-12 slices

Ingredients:

- 750 g flour type 000
- 25 g fresh yeast
- 100 g sugar (plus 1 teaspoon for the starter)
- 250 ml lukewarm milk
- 100 g butter at room temperature
- 2 large eggs
- 1 pinch of salt
- Grated zest of 1 lemon
- 100 g raisins
- 50 g dried plums
- 50 g dried cranberries
- 2 tablespoons rum essence
- Butter for greasing the tray and the sweet bread

Preparation:

1. Preparing the dried fruits: Start by washing the raisins, plums, and cranberries with lukewarm water. Add 2 tablespoons of rum to give them an intense and aromatic flavor. Set them aside for about 15 minutes to absorb the rum's aroma.

2. Preparing the starter: Sift the flour into a deep bowl. Make a well in the middle of the flour and add the crumbled yeast and a teaspoon of sugar. Pour the lukewarm milk over the yeast and gently mix with a fork to form a starter. Cover with a clean towel and let rise for 10-15 minutes in a warm place.

3. Preparing the dough: After the starter has risen, add the remaining sugar, soft butter, eggs, a pinch of salt, and the grated lemon zest. Knead the dough by hand or with a mixer with dough hooks until it no longer sticks to the sides of the bowl.

4. Let the dough rise: Cover the dough with a towel and let it rise for 30-40 minutes until it doubles in volume.

5. Adding the fruits: After the dough has risen, turn it out onto a floured surface. Knead it again for a few minutes, then roll it out with a rolling pin into a rectangular sheet. Evenly sprinkle the dried fruits (raisins, plums, and cranberries) and roll the dough tightly. If you prefer, you can also add the dried fruits while kneading the dough on the work surface.

6. Shaping the sweet bread: Grease a loaf pan (30 cm long) with butter. Place the rolled dough in the pan, brush it with soft butter on top, and let it rise for another 10 minutes.

7. Baking: Preheat the oven to 180°C. Bake the sweet bread for 50-60 minutes until golden, and if you gently tap the bottom of the pan, it sounds hollow.

8. Cooling and serving: Let the sweet bread cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer it to a rack to cool completely. Serve it sliced, alongside a cup of tea or coffee, for a delightful culinary experience.

Useful tips:

- Choosing dried fruits: You can experiment with different types of dried fruits, such as apricots or figs. These will add a note of diversity and a unique flavor to your sweet bread.
- Rising: Make sure the place where you let the dough rise is warm, as temperature plays an essential role in yeast activity.
- Checking doneness: Use a toothpick to check if the sweet bread is baked inside. If it comes out clean, the sweet bread is ready!

Frequently asked questions:

1. Can I use dry yeast?
Yes, you can use dry yeast. Use about 8 g of dry yeast instead of 25 g of fresh yeast.

2. How can I store the sweet bread for longer?
You can store it in a plastic bag or an airtight container at room temperature for a few days. You can freeze the sweet bread to keep it longer, sliced.

3. What can I do with leftover sweet bread?
You can turn slices of sweet bread into sweet bread pudding or toast them with a little butter for a delicious breakfast.

Nutritional benefits:

Sweet bread with dried fruits is a good source of fiber due to the dried fruits, aiding digestion. Additionally, eggs and milk provide protein and calcium, while butter contributes to healthy fat intake, essential for energy.

Don't forget to share this recipe with your loved ones and enjoy the magic of sweet bread with dried fruits! It's more than just a simple dessert; it's a piece of tradition, love, and family warmth that will bring smiles to the faces of your dear ones. Enjoy!

 Ingredients: 2 eggs, 100g raisins, 50g dried plums, 50g cranberries, 2 tablespoons rum essence, 750g type 000 flour, 25g yeast, 100g sugar, 250ml warm milk, 100g butter at room temperature, a pinch of salt, grated zest of one lemon, butter for greasing the pan and the cake.