One of the best breads that I have baked by far! This fruit loaf is so soft with lots of juicy fruits.



 

Fruit loaf

Certain parts of the world may have known this fruit loaf as fruit bread.
Both are interchangeable!

Basic ingredients are bread flour, liquid and yeast with dried fruits mix into the dough.

Baking fruit loaf using yudane method.

Some bakers may add bread improver to the dough mix for a much softer bread.
But I opt to use Japanese yudane (which I have written in my previous post).

Bread baking with yudane added to the dough makes the bread stays soft for longer.

How to bake fruit loaf | fruit bread

List of ingredients and method on how to bake fruit loaf can be found in the recipe card below.

However, I will take you through my steps on how to achieve soft bread that last for longer days.

Step 1 : Prepare yudane

You have to prepare yudane at least 4 hours prior to baking bread.

I like to get my yudane done a day before.

Step 2: Prepare yeast mixture

I strongly suggest that yeast mixture be prepared prior.
This step is essential as to ensure that yeast is still active (especially if the yeast has been sitting in the corner of your pantry for quite sometime. It will give you time to run to the store to get a new one!


Pour 145ml of luke warm water into a heatproof container.


Add yeast.


Add 1 teaspoon of sugar (taken from 45g sugar in the recipe)
Leave yeast to bloom for at least 5 minutes.


Yeast is active and ready to be used.

Step 4: Weigh all ingredients

Weighing all ingredients is a MUST in baking this soft bread.

Step 5: Mixing the fruit loaf dough

Weigh and add bread flour or high protein flour into a mixing bowl.


Add caster sugar.


Add milk powder.


Add lemon zest and salt.


Add ground cinnamon.
Mix well.


Add yeast mixture that we prepared earlier.


Add 40g egg.


Attached dough hook and mix.


Mix dough into a shaggy dough.
Let the dough rest for 10 minutes.
This will let the gluten develop and strengthen.



Add yudane.
You can add yudane at the stage when you add yeast mixture.

I have tried both steps, at this stage and with yeast mixture.
Both yield the same texture and makes no difference.


Knead the dough until soft and pliable.


Check for window pane and make sure that the dough passed test.


Then add butter to the dough and knead until smooth.


Add mix dried fruits and knead until the mix fruit just mix into the dough.


Oil the bowl and place the dough back into the bowl for the next stage.

Step 6: First proof

Place cling film over the bowl.


Place bowl in a warm place.


Proof until double.

Step 7: Shaping the bread

Proof until double in size.
Transfer to work bench.

Divide the dough into 2.

Fold the dough into 3.
Using a rolling pin, roll the dough thinly.


Roll and seam the dough.


Roll until the end.


Pinch and seam the end.


Place in baking pan for the second proofing stage.

Step 8: Second proof

Dough has risen to slightly above the baking pan.

Step 9: Egg wash

Add a dash of milk to make egg wash.


Brush the top of the bread with egg wash.

Step 10: Baking fruit loaf | fruit bread

Bake bread at 190C (fan or use Bread function on the oven if you have one).


Release the bread from the mould.

Tap the bread to check for doneness.
Leave the bread to cool down before slicing.

Step 11: Wait for the bread to cool down before slicing.

Look at those web!


Freshly baked bread is so soft.
I could finish the whole loaf!!!

The final product of the baked fruit loaf using yudane method.

FAQ on fruit loaf

Is it a must to have kitchen scale?

Yes, kitchen scale is a must to achieve a soft pillowy fruit loaf.

How long does the bread stays soft?

The bread stays soft for at least for 3 days.

How do I keep this fruit loaf?

Keep fruit loaf in a sealed bag or an air-tight container.
By not keeping the fruit loaf as suggested above, the moisture in the bread will tend to dry out and bread will not be as soft.

Can I toast this fruit bread?

Absolutely.
This bread is delicious as toast.
Spread some butter and have it with hot coffee.

Can I replace yudane with something else?

You could use tangzhong but the ratio of flour to liquid will be different.
You have to re-calculate (see my post on Green tea buns and Cinnamon rolls using tangzhong method)

Video on How to Bake Fruit Loaf