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Portuguese Honey Bread

Reggie Dwork <reggie@jeff-and-reggie.com>
Thu, 02 Aug 2012 15:48:59 -0700
v112.n028.4
* Exported from MasterCook *

                           Bread, Portuguese Honey

Recipe By     :
Serving Size  : 24    Preparation Time :0:40
Categories    : Bread-Bakers Mailing List       Breads
                  Ethnic                          Fruit
                  Nuts

    Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
    2 1/2         sticks  unsalted butter -- (1 1/4 cups), softened, note 1
       3/4           cup  dried cranberries -- or dried sour cherries
       3/4           cup  candied fruit -- (1/4 lb), chopped and mixed, note 2
       1/4           cup  port wine
    1 1/4           cups  walnuts -- (4 1/4 oz)
    4 1/2           cups  all-purpose flour
    1           teaspoon  salt
    1           teaspoon  baking soda
       1/2      teaspoon  ground ginger
       1/2      teaspoon  ground cinnamon
       1/4      teaspoon  ground cloves
    1                cup  sugar
    3              large  eggs
    3          teaspoons  active dry yeast -- (from two 1/4-oz packages)
       1/4           cup  warm water -- (105F-115F)
       3/4           cup  molasses -- (not blackstrap)
       1/2           cup  mild honey

Note 1: plus additional butter to coat pans
Note 2: Use high-quality candied fruit, such as pear, citron, and 
candied orange peel. Avoid cheap supermarket brands.

This lightly spiced bread is filled with bits of flavorful candied 
fruit. Baked in small loaves it is perfect for gift-giving. Mild 
honey lends sweetness, while molasses adds notes of caramel.

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 325F. Butter loaf pans.

Bring cranberries, candied fruit, and Port to a simmer in a small 
saucepan. Remove from heat and set aside, covered.

Pulse walnuts in a food processor until just coarsely chopped. Add 
flour, salt, baking soda, and spices and pulse to combine.

Beat together butter (2 1/2 sticks) and sugar in a large bowl with an 
electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 4 
minutes in a stand mixer or 6 with a handheld. Add eggs 1 at a time, 
beating well after each addition.

Stir together yeast and warm water in a small bowl and let stand 
until foamy, about 5 minutes. (If mixture doesn't foam, discard and 
start over with new yeast.)

Add one third of flour mixture to butter mixture and mix at low speed 
until combined, then add molasses and mix until incorporated. Add 
half of remaining flour mixture and mix until combined, then add 
honey and mix until incorporated. Add yeast mixture and remaining 
flour mixture and mix until combined, then stir in candied-fruit mixture.

Divide batter among pans, smoothing tops. (Do not let batter rise.) 
Bake until a wooden pick or skewer inserted in centers of loaves 
comes out clean, 50 to 60 minutes. Cool in pans on a rack 10 minutes, 
then remove loaves from pans and cool completely on rack.

Cooks' note: Breads keep, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then 
foil, at room temperature for 1 week.

Yield: Makes 6 small loaves

Source:
    "Gourmet,  December 2006"
Start to Finish Time:
    "2:30"
                                      - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 315 Calories; 14g Fat (39.9% 
calories from fat); 5g Protein; 43g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 
52mg Cholesterol; 160mg Sodium.  Exchanges: 1 Grain(Starch); 1/2 Lean 
Meat; 0 Fruit; 2 1/2 Fat; 1 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.

NOTES : Special Equipment:  6 (6- by 3 1/4- by 2") metal loaf pans 
(2- to 2 1/4-cup capacity)