Dried Cherry Cardamom Bread Recipes

FRUIT-FILLED CARDAMOM BREAD

Steps:

• In the large bowl of an electric mixer, combine yeast with warm water, soften for about 5 minutes. In a 1- to 1 1/2 -quart pan, combine butter and milk; warm over medium heat until milk is 110 degrees. Butter does not need to melt. (Or heat butter and milk in a microwave-safe bowl, uncovered, in a microwave until mixture is 110 degrees.)
• Add milk mixture, whole eggs, granulated sugar, vanilla, lemon peel, cardamom, salt and 3 cups flour to yeast. Beat at medium speed until dough is stretchy and shiny, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in 2 1/4 cups flour.
• With a dough hook attachment, beat at high speed until dough pulls cleanly from sides of bowl, 5 to 8 minutes. If dough still sticks, add flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, until dough pulls free. (Or scrape dough onto a lightly floured board and knead by hand until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.)
• Place dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, heat oven to 350 degrees and make filling. Place slivered almonds in a 9-inch pan and bake until golden, about 10 minutes.
• Soak 1 cup golden raisins in orange juice and brandy or vanilla until plump, about 30 minutes.
• In a food processor, finely chop raisin mixture, almonds, chopped apple, dried apricots, cinnamon and grated orange peel.
• When dough is ready, punch dough down. On a floured surface, roll into a 10-by-36-inch rectangle. Spread fruit filling over dough to within 1/2 inch of long sides. Roll from a long side, jelly roll-style. Cut into three equal-sized loafs. Pinch and smooth ends of loaf to prevent filling from falling out.
• Place seam-side down on a lightly greased baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap; let rise in a warm place until puffy, about 25 minutes. Mix egg yolk and water. Brush over tree.
• Bake in a 350-degree oven until golden brown, 40 to 45 minute. If necessary, cover loosely with foil the last 10 minutes of baking to prevent over browning.
• Remove from oven and cool. Mix powdered sugar with orange juice until smooth.
• Spoon glaze over bread. Slice when warm or cool and wrap in plastic.
• Makes 3 loaves.
• Christmas tree variation: Before rolling out dough, set aside 1/3 cup. Roll and fill remaining dough as directed. Take the long piece of dough, seam-side down, and zig-zag it into a stacked "S" shape to make a tree that is narrow at top and broad at base. Form reserved 1/3 cup dough into a ball and attach it to the base of tree as the trunk. Continue to rise and bake as directed above. Makes 1 large loaf.

DRIED CHERRY ALMOND BREAD

Steps:

• FOR THE BREAD ~ In a medium bowl, pour boiling water over dried cherries & let stand 20 minutes, then pat dry with paper towels.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F, then spray a 9"x5" loaf pan with with a baking-spray-with-flour.
• In a large mixing bowl, beat brown sugar & softened butter with electric mixer on medium speed until well mixed.
• Beat in eggs & the 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract, then carefully stir in the flour, baking powder & salt just until dry ingredients are moistened.
• Stir in almonds & cherries, then pour into prepared loaf pan.
• Bake 70 to 80 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean & top is dark golden brown.
• Cool 10 minutes in the pan on a wire rack, then loosen the sides of the loaf from the pan & remove the bread, placing it top side up on a wire rack. Let it cool completely, about 1 hour.
• FOR THE GLAZE ~ In a small bowl, mix glaze ingredients until smooth, then drizzle over cooled bread.
• Wrap tightly & store at room temperature.
• When ready to serve, cut loaf into 12 slices & then cut each of those slices in half.

DRIED CHERRY BREAD

Steps:

• Pour boiling water over dried cherries in a bowl and let sit to plump up for 15 minutes. Drain.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
• Beat eggs lightly in a bowl. Add sugar, oil, butter, buttermilk, yogurt, and vanilla extract. Whisk well.
• Combine flour, oatmeal, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate, larger bowl. Whisk well. Add egg mixture, white chocolate chips, and cherries. Stir just until combined. Don't overmix. Pour into the prepared loaf pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 45 minutes to 1 hour, checking at 35 minutes to account for different ovens. If bread begins to brown too much, lightly cover the top with aluminum foil. Let set for 5 to 10 minutes in the pan before inverting loaf onto a wire rack to cool completely.