225g strong white flour
7g instant dried yeast
25g caster sugar
1 egg, beaten
25g butter, melted
½ tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger
125g mixed dried fruit of your choice (try sultanas, apricots, dates, glace cherries etc.)
Juice and zest 1/2 orange
1. Soak the fruit in the orange juice for 30 minutes, then strain, keeping the juice.
2. Mix the flour, yeast, sugar and ½ tsp salt in a bowl. Add the spices and the strained fruit.
3. Make a well in the centre and add the warm milk, orange juice, butter and the beaten egg and mix to form a dough. If it is too dry, add a little water. If too wet, add a little flour.
4. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and springy. Place in a clean bowl, cover and leave until it doubles in size, about 1 hour. Knock back the dough by kneading again for a couple of minutes. Place in a loaf tin and bake at 180°C for about 20 minutes. Leave to cool in the tins before turning out.