Moravian Christmas Loaf Food

LAST-MINUTE CHRISTMAS LOAF CAKE

Steps:

• Tip the fruit and peel into a bowl with the orange juice and zest and 150ml of the brandy. Stir well, then leave in a warm place for 2 hrs for the fruit to plump up.
• Heat oven to 170C/150C fan/gas 4. Brush a 900g loaf tin with the melted butter, then line with baking parchment. Beat the muscovado sugar and butter until light and fluffy, then add the eggs one at a time. Mix in the fruit and the rest of the ingredients except for the remaining brandy and icing sugar. Spoon the mixture into the loaf tin, put the tin in a deep tray and bake for 1 hr 15 mins-1 hr 30 mins or until a skewer prodded in comes out clean. Remove from the oven and immediately pour over the brandy (this makes it easier for the cake to soak it up). Leave to cool, then dust with icing sugar, if using.

MORAVIAN CHRISTMAS LOAF

Steps:

• Add softened yeast to milk.
• Add 3 cups flour, and salt; mix well.
• Cover and let rise in a warm place overnight.
• In the morning, heat the milk; add butter and stir until melted.
• Combine with yeast mixture and add sugar, fruit and remaining flour; knead well until dough is no longer sticky (use more flour, if necessary).
• Cover and let rise until double.
• Shape into loaves, place in greased loaf pans and sprinkle with sliced almonds.
• Let rise until doubled.
• Bake at 375°F for 40 minutes.

SPICED RAISIN BREAD

Steps:

• In bread machine pan, place all ingredients in order suggested by manufacturer. Select basic bread setting. Choose crust color and loaf size if available. , Bake according to bread machine directions (check dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1 to 2 tablespoons water or flour if needed).

CHRISTMAS LOAF

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°.
• Grease 2 loaf pans.
• Cream butter and sugar.
• Beat in eggs and vanilla.
• Mix flour, baking soda and salt.
• Add to creamed mixture alternately with bananas.
• Stir in coconut, almonds, cherries and dates.
• Pour into pans.
• Bake for 55 minutes, until pick comes out clean.
• Cool for 15 minutes before removing from pans.