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Nut, Raisin and Honey Bread

Preparation time: 30 minutes, plus 1½–2 hours rising time. Cooking time: 35 minutes.

Makes one 450g (1 lb) loaf 

Ingredients:

  • 15g (½oz) fresh yeast OR 2 tsp dried yeast and ½ tsp sugar OR 7g sachet easy-blend yeast
  • 150ml (5fl oz) warm water
  • 225g (8oz) plain wholemeal flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 15g (½oz) butter, plus extra for greasing
  • 50g (2oz) each flaked almonds, raisins and honey

A slightly sweet bread that’s delicious sliced and buttered.

Method

If you’re using fresh or dried yeast, dissolve it in the water; for dried yeast add sugar too and leave it for 10–15 minutes or until frothy.

Mix the flour, the easy-blend yeast (if using) and the salt in a bowl. Rub in the butter.

Mix to a dough with the yeast and water (or just the water if using easy-blend yeast), then knead for 5–10 minutes.

Put the dough into the bowl, cover with a clean damp cloth and leave until doubled in size – about 1 hour in a warm place.

Knock back the dough, by pushing it down firmly in the bowl, then knead in the almonds, raisins and honey.

Shape the dough and place in a greased 450g (1lb) loaf tin. Cover and leave until the centre of the bread has risen 2.5cm (1in) above the top of the tin.

Bake in a preheated oven, 230oC, 450o F, Gas Mark 8, for 10 minutes, then turn down to 200oC, 400oF, Gas Mark 6, for a further 20–25 minutes. Turn out on to a wire rack to cool