Christmas fruit twist

By LyndaLee

Enjoy the fragrace of fresh baked bread as an extra treat on Christmas morning.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup plus 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1 package active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 4 cups all purpose flour (approx.)
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom (opt)
• 1/3 cup dried cherries
• 1/3 cup cranberries
• 1/3 cup raisins (try chopped nuts)

Details

Servings 8
Cooking time 30mins

Preparation

Step 1

In large mixing bowl, dissolve 1 teaspoon sugar in warm water. Sprinkle in yeast; let stand 10 minutes or until frothy. Meanwhile, heat together milk, butter, remaining sugar and salt, stirring to melt butter, let cool to lukewarm. Add to yeast mixture along with eggs. Add 1 1/2 flour and cardamon; beat with electric mixer for 2 minutes. Gradually stir in enough flour to make soft, slightly sticky dough. On lightly floured surface, knead for 5 minutes or until smooth and springy. Place in large greased bowl, turning dough to grease all over. Cover and let rise in warm place until doubled, about 1 1/4 hours. Punch down dough. Knead in dried fruit until evenly distributed. Divide dough into 3 equal parts. Roll each into rope about 16" long. Place side by side; braid together loosely, press ends to seal; tuck under. Place on greased baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap, leaving room for expansion. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours. If loaf has not doubled, let rise at room temperature. Bake in 375 degree oven for about 30 minutes or until load sounds hollow when tapped. Remove to rack to cool. Dust with icing sugar.

Per slice: 149 calories, 3g fat, 27g carbs, 4g protein.