🍞✨ Best Fruit Bread Loaf (Moist & Fragrant)
Soft, fluffy, and filled with sweet dried fruits—this homemade fruit bread is perfect for breakfast or tea time!
🧾 Ingredients
🥣 Dry Ingredients
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2¼ tsp yeast (1 sachet)
- 1 tsp mixed spice (or cinnamon)
🥛 Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup warm milk
- ¼ cup butter (softened)
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
🍇 Fruits & Extras
- 1 cup mixed dried fruits (raisins, currants, chopped dates)
- Optional: chopped nuts
👨🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Activate the Yeast
- Mix warm milk, 1 tbsp sugar, and yeast
- Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy
2️⃣ Make the Dough
- In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and spices
- Add yeast mixture, butter, egg, and vanilla
- Mix into a soft dough
3️⃣ Knead
- Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic
- Gently knead in the dried fruits at the end
4️⃣ First Rise
- Cover and let rise for 1–1½ hours until doubled in size
5️⃣ Shape
- Shape into a loaf and place in a greased loaf pan
6️⃣ Second Rise
- Let rise again for 30–45 minutes
7️⃣ Bake
- Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 30–35 minutes
- Top should be golden and loaf sounds hollow when tapped
✨ Tips for Best Results
- Soak dried fruits in warm water (or juice) for extra softness
- Brush with butter after baking for a soft crust
- Let cool before slicing for neat cuts
