Mixed fruit loaf

Here's a simple bread recipe that you may want to try if you have a breadmaker.

I prefer to use the breadmaker to make the dough only.. leaving the bread to bake in a convection oven.

For the mixed fruit, you can buy the ready-mixed ones that are available at the baking section of supermarkets (for baking fruit cake).

Years ago, I stopped adding bread improver when baking bread.  I was told that it is not healthy.  As bread improver is not added, I do not expect the bread to remain soft for too many days.  Not to worry - the bread tastes just as yummy when toasted.

INGREDIENTS

3/4 cup warm water
3/4 cup low fat milk
2 tbsp butter (softened)
2 tsp salt
1/4 cup castor sugar
4 cups bread flour
2 tsp active dry yeast
1/2 cup instant oats
1/2 pkt mixed dried fruit

METHOD

1. Add all the ingredients to the bucket of the breadmaker (other than the mixed fruit) in the order in which it appears on the list of ingredients above.

2. Place the bucket in the breadmaker and select "dough" function.  Start the breadmaker.

3. When the beep sounds, open the lid of the breadmaker and add the instant oats and mixed fruit.

4. When the dough function is finished, turn the dough onto a floured board.  Using floured hands, knead the dough a few times.

5. Place the dough in a loaf pan that has been greased and lined and spread out the dough until it touches the side of the loaf pan.

6. Cover the loaf pan with a dry cloth and leave the dough to rise for another hour.

7. Bake in an oven preheated to 180 degrees celsius for 30 minutes.

8. Let the bread cool on a wire rack before slicing.