Best 2 St Patricks Day Fruit And Spice Bread Recipes

SUGARPLUM SPICE BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add 4 cups flour, yeast, cardamom, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Heat milk to 120°-130°; add to creamed mixture and beat until moistened. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a firm dough. Turn onto a heavily floured surface. Sprinkle with fruit and raisins; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 40 minutes., Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into 8 portions. Shape into loaves. Place in 8 greased 5x3x2-in. loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool., For frosting, in a small bowl, cream butter and shortening. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar, vanilla and enough milk to reach desired spreading consistency. Frost loaves.

ST PATRICK'S DAY FRUIT AND SPICE BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 deg F.
• In a food processor, whizz the oats and butter together. (Can also be done with fingertips, saving you cleaning the processor!).
• Tip into a big bowl, and stir in the 2 flours, superfine sugar, baking soda, mixed spice, salt, raisins, dates and mixed peel.
• Pour over the buttermilk and vanilla, and stir in briskly with a wooden spoon.
• Tip on to a flour-dusted surface and gently form into a flattish ball. Transfer to a baking tin (cover it with baking paper first).
• Sprinkle over the dark brown sugar (any brown sugar will do) and press the sugar in, all over the top. To be traditional, cut a cross in the top of the bread.
• Bake for about 35 minutes, until crusty on the outside. Do test with a skewer, as ovens can vary a lot. Allow more baking time if necessary.
• Nicest if eaten warm, in thick slices, slathered with real butter!