– In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, remaining sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
– Add the melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and the activated yeast mixture. Mix until the dough starts to come together.
– Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment.
– Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours or until it doubles in size.
– Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Gently knead in the chopped dried fruits, nuts, and orange zest (if using) until evenly distributed.
– Shape the dough into a loaf and place it in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan. Cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let it rise again in a warm place for about 45-60 minutes or until it doubles in size.
– Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the bread for 35-40 minutes or until it is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
– Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove it from the pan and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
ADVERTISEMENT
