Back to the kitchen - squidgy loaf recipe revealed - a short history

[Bobbi]

November 2024

Time to make an indulgent yeasted fruit loaf.

There were problems with this recipe, so I decided to take it down.
. . . but as it happens :
All’s well that ends well. Here’s the loaf after all that faffing.
I have altered and reposted the recipe with my adjustments.
Actually it seems to have ended up okay.

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spicy fruit loaf

beware - the spice seems to inhibit the yeast so be prepared to wait longer while proving. [I was very wrong - the recipe was fine. My yeast wasn’t okay. When I opened a new tub it all worked as it should have.]

Ingredients

30g sunflower oil
½ tsp Salt
1 tsp black treacle + 20g warm water
1 tbsp honey + 20g warm water [or golden syrup + 20g warm water]
190g combined weight (water + beaten egg)
400g Strong white bread flour
3 tbsp milk powder
250g currants (or mixed fruit)
8g mixed spice (= 2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp ginger, 3g ground pimento)
2 tsp Instant or active dried yeast

Glaze ingredients
20g hot water
20g Sugar

Method

add all ingredients to stand mixer bowl

use dough hook until thoroughly mixed and pulled together.

transfer dough ball into a greased bowl
cover in a warm spot and leave to prove until doubled if possible. About 1 hour.

knock back

transfer into greased loaf tin 900g

again prove until doubled somewhere warm. [this took 2 hours for me]

steam bake at 160°C for 20 minutes

Glaze with sugar solution while loaf is still hot

Leave to cool on a.rack.

serve thick slices generously buttered

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A short history.

It took me some time to get back into the kitchen.
It all started with raiding the fridge, then making a brew and eventually putting together a sandwich.

Much later I graduated to making scones.

Now I make meals (takes me ages) and bake cakes.
It is great to be able to share what I make.

I have been known to help with the washing up, too.

[Pds]

What a good egg you are Bobbi. I was inspired by a chap at my Stroke support who like you had use of only one hand. He told me he got started on cornbeef hash pie. Felt ashamed being able bodied with only loss of some vision. Thought by the time we meet again……………… So made my own vegetarian version, moved on to stuffing toms peppers and mushrooms and roast veg tray bakes. Nut loaves .Baking bread and cakes the next challenge

[Mrs5K]

Fruit loaf…yummy. i do like a fruit loaf i made an apple cake yesterday which must have been ok as hubby seems to devoured it.

Picture from before he tucked in.

[Bobbi]

Good for you @Pds

I’m not vegan, vegetarian or anything like that but I enjoy preparing and eating what you could call non-carnivorous dishes.
They make nice change and are probably very good for you as well.
I’ll dig out a recipe and post it with pictures.
It’s great now I can make images with my smart phone.
Oh baking home made bread needn’t be a challenge and is delicious.

[Bobbi]

That looks like the sort of thing that is and there one minute and completely vanished the next.

It has turned out really well and looks so tempting.

It’s nice to make and share good food isn’t it?
If Hilary sees that she’ll want me to make one.

I’m no chef and hopeless without a recipe but I ike trying out new things.

Any chance of a recipe @Mrs5K ? Or are you like Hilary, just throw some ingredients together and somehow it just magically happens?

Anyhow, thanks for sharing.

[Mrs5K]

@Bobbi i am a recipe person too. Not so good at experimenting when baking.

Here’s the recipe if you want to try it. It’s a Mary Berry one. I have made it a few times now to use up the windfall apples from our trees.

Ingredients

• 225g self-raising flour

• 1 level tsp baking powder

• 225g caster sugar

• 2 large eggs

• ½ tsp almond extract

• 150g butter, melted

• 250g cooking apples, peeled and cored

• 25g flaked almonds

• Equipment

• Deep 20cm loose-bottomed cake tin

Instructions

• 1

Preheat the oven to 160C/fan 140C/gas 3. Lightly grease a deep 20cm loose-bottomed cake tin.

• 2

Measure the flour, baking powder, sugar, eggs, almond extract and melted butter into a bowl. Mix well until blended, then beat for a minute.

• 3

Spread half this mixture in the prepared tin. Thickly slice the apples and lay on top of the mixture in the tin, piling mostly towards the centre. Using 2 dessert spoons, roughly spoon the remaining mixture over the apples. This is an awkward thing to do, but just make sure that the mixture covers the centre well as it will spread out in the oven.

• 4

Sprinkle with the flaked almonds.

• 5

Bake in the preheated oven for 1¼-1½ hours until golden and coming away from the sides of the tin.

Happy baking & eating

Ann

[Pds]

Like Hillary 9/10 Ok Magic happens with my concoctions if I try to use recipes , disasters. Vision and trying to process not good but slowly improving

[HHilary]

That looks yummy, Mrs5k! Bobbi and I will have to give it a go, wont you Bobbi!? Our tree wont produce but the shop will, next time we shop I’ll get some Bramleys.

[Bobbi]

@HHilary

I will obey

and thanks @Mrs5K
that looks totally delish.

[Mrs5K]

It seems that @HHilary is wanting to keep you busy @Bobbi

Hope you enjoy the cake when you make it. It’s not overly onerous to make which makes it all the more enjoyable.

It is nice eaten on its own but goes equally well with custard or ice cream.

Enjoy x

[Bobbi]

We have yet to get to the shops, but apples are on the shopping list.

Thanks @Mrs5K

[HHilary]

Getting the fixings for your & Mary Berrys ‘Apple Cake’ delivered today. @Bobbi can make a start after we have eaten Morrisons cream cakes.

[Mrs5K]

Ooooo cream cakes. Very nice. I’ve not eaten a cream cake for years. I might have to add them to my shopping list