Spiced Plaited Loaf

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Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups milk
  • 2 teaspoons dried active yeast granules
  • 2 teaspoons caster sugar
  • 5 cups high grade flour
  • 1/2 cup caster sugar
  • 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons mixed spice
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 75g butter, melted
  • 1 egg, whisked
  • 1 1/2 cups currants or sultanas
  • 2 cups icing sugar
  • 2-3 tbsp milk
  • cinnamon to dust

Method

Heat the milk just until lukewarm in a small saucepan over a low heat or in the microwave and then stir in the yeast and 2 teaspoons of sugar.  Set aside for 5 minutes until frothy.

Sift the flour, 1/2 cup sugar, spices and salt into a large bowl and make a well in the centre.
Pour in the milk mixture along with the butter and egg and finally the dried fruit.  Mix with a knife until the mixture comes together to a dough.  Turn out and knead until smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a large greased bowl and cover loosely.  Set aside in a warm spot until doubled in bulk – 1 – 1 1/2 hours.
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Separate dough into 3 equal balls and then roll out into lengths approximately 45cm long.  Plait the strands together into a loaf and gently press the ends together. Place on a cold baking tray.
Bake for 25 minutes until loaf feels crusty and cooked through.
Allow to cool on a wire rack and then ice with combined icing sugar and milk and dust with cinnamon.

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