-SPONGE-
3 c Lukewarm water
4 tb Sugar
3 pk Yeast, dry or compressed
4 c Flour
2 c Milk
4 tb Sugar
6 tb Shortening (1/3 cup)
2 tb Salt
1 ts Nutmeg
1 ts Cinnamon
1 c Sugar
1 c Walnuts, chopped
1 lb White raisins
1 lb Currants
1 Container (6 oz) green
-candied pineapple
1 Container (8 oz) red candied
-cherries
1 Container (6 oz) red candied
-pineapple
1 Container (8 oz) green
-candied cherries
1 Container (6 oz) yellow
-candied pineapple
1 Container (4 oz) orange
-peel, lemon or citron (you
-can use a combination)
Sponge: Measure into a bowl. Mix water, sugar and yeast and stir until
dissolved. Then add the flour and beat until smooth. Cover and let rise
about 1 hour.
Meanwhile, scald 2 cups milk. Add sugar, shortening and salt. 4 Tbsp. sugar
6 Tbsp. shortening (1/3 cup) 2 Tbsp. salt Cool to lukewarm. Add this liquid
to the sponge mixture after it has doubled in bulk. Stir well to mix, then
add remaining ingredients.
Flour should be added until it is workable but sticky. (you will need a 5
pound bag of flour to make this bread.) Turn out on a well floured board
and knead flour into the dough; It will remain on the tacky side, but this
is best because the fruit will need the extra moisture. Knead about 15
miinutes. When the proper amount of flour has been kneaded in, you will
have a dough about the size of a basketball. Divide this into two batches
and place each in a well oiled bowl, cover and let rise until double in
bulk. Punch down dough – form three loaves from each batch and place in
bread pan and let rise til double in bulk. Each bowlful will make three
average loaves. Bake at 350 degrees for
45 minutes. This bread is wonderful toasted and buttered – enjoy
with a friend and a cup of coffee. Give a loaf as a gift to a friend. Can
be frozen.
Yields
1 Servings