Jewel-like brandy-soaked fruit in an enriched dough–this bread is a joyous celebration of the season.
How to Make It
Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife. Combine 75 ounces (about 3 1/2 cups) flour, salt, and nutmeg. Combine orange juice and brandy; microwave at HIGH 45 seconds. Add cherries, raisins, and apricots; let stand for 20 minutes.
Combine warm milk, granulated sugar, and yeast; let stand for 5 minutes. Stir butter and 2 eggs into yeast mixture. Stir in juice mixture, 1/2 cup citron, almonds, and rind. Add flour mixture to yeast mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead 5 minutes or until dough is smooth and elastic, adding remaining 1/4 cup flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, to prevent dough from sticking to hands (dough will feel sticky).
Place dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to coat top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°) 1 hour or until doubled in size. Punch dough down. Divide dough into 2 equal portions; roll each into an 11 x 8-inch oval. Fold 1 short end toward center; fold other short end toward center until it overlaps first end. Place loaves, seam side down, on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover and let rise 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Preheat oven to 350°.
Combine 1 tablespoon milk and 1 egg. Uncover dough; brush gently with milk mixture. Bake at 350° for 32 minutes or until golden. Cool on wire racks. Combine 1 tablespoon milk and powdered sugar, stirring until smooth; drizzle over loaves.
Redforever's Review