26 Jun Making Bread Fun with Fruit & Nuts

Bread might be an everyday staple for many of us, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be an experimental, exciting and adventurous dish. A simple step like adding your favourite mixed fruits and nuts can transform a “plain Jane” loaf into something really special. Plus it adds a wealth of vitamins, minerals and even protein, making your bread more nutritionally balanced.

We’ve got two delicious fruity, nutty bread recipes to share with you – whether you prefer the convenience of a bread-maker, or want to try your hand at a homemade artisan loaf. Both are really wholesome and tasty, great with a variety of toppings and so satisfying for cold winter days. Give them a whirl and please share your results with us!

1. Handmade Recipe for Date & Cherry Nut Loaf

This bread has got a little bit of everything – dates for sweetness, cherries for fruity tang and protein-packed nuts for crunch.  A great hands-on recipe for bakers without bread-makers.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups unbleached bread flour (keep a little extra aside for dusting)
• 2 ¼tsp salt
• ¾tsp active dry yeast
• 1½ cups chopped walnuts
• 1½ cups blanched hazelnuts or almonds
• 1½ cups dried cherries
• 1½ cups pitted & sliced dates
• 2 cups cool water (55-65°F)

Method:

• Mix the flour, salt & yeast in a bowl, using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula.
• Add the nuts & fruit; mix well.
• Add the water & mix until the mixture is wet & sticky.
• Cover the bowl with plastic wrap & let sit at room temperature for approx. 12-14 hours, until the dough has doubled in size.
• Scrape the dough onto a well-floured work surface; lift the edges of the dough towards the centre & tuck them in until the dough has a rounded shape.
• Place the dough seam-side down on a parchment-lined, generously dusted baking sheet. Dust the top with flour if needed.
• Gently cover the dough with another piece of parchment & a clean tea towel. Place in a warm spot for 1-2 hours, until the dough doubles in size again.
• While your dough rises, pre-heat oven to 475°F. Heat a heavy pot with lid on the lower-third rack.
• Remove pre-heated pot from the oven; uncover the dough, remove from parchment & dust the underside. Tip your dough into the pot, seam-side up.
• Cover the pot & bake your loaf for 30min.
• Remove the lid & bake for 15-30min more, until the loaf is golden-brown.
• Gently lift the bread out of the pot with a heat-proof spatula; place on a rack to cool.
• Enjoy with your favourite free-range organic cheeses or butter.

2. Bread Machine Recipe for Glazed Fruit Loaf

Spicy, fruity and oh-so-good… this luscious loaf is a breeze to make with the help of your trusty bread machine.

For the Bread:

• 270ml water
• 6tsp butter
• 1½tsp salt
• 6tsp brown sugar
• 450g (3 cups) stone ground white bread flour
• 6tsp powdered milk (or milk substitute)
• 3tsp ground mixed spice
• 2tsp yeast
• ½ cup mixed dried fruit (raisins, sultanas, currants, cherries – go wild!)

Pssstt… you can add a few of your favourite nuts too!

For the Glaze:

• 3tbsp water
• 6tsp sugar
• 3tsp agar-agar

Method:

• Place all ingredients except the fruit into your bread maker, in the order recommended by your manufacturer.
• Place the fruit in the special fruit & nut dispenser.
• While the loaf bakes, combine the glaze ingredients in a small saucepan & cook over a heat until the sugar and agar have dissolved.
• At 15min into the baking cycle, pause the bread maker & brush the glaze over the loaf.

With a stash of your favourite nutrient-packed dried fruits and nuts in the pantry, you’ll find there’s no way bread will ever be considered boring again!