Mixed Fruit Braid

Treat your family and friends to this festive and delicious Mixed Fruit Braid. It is has a sweet filling and is perfect for the holidays.

Baking bread on a cold winter’s day is a good way to bring some warmth and cheer into the kitchen. Not only do we get to taste the delicious result, but the wonderful aroma fills the home and enhances the feeling of well being and coziness. This being the week before Christmas, making a fruit bread just seems like the right thing to do. With all the boys back home, sweet breads are wildly popular and may not even make it to Christmas day.

Sweet Breads for the Holidays

Every Christmas, I would make some sweet bread for the occasion. Listed below are some that I have made in past years.
• Potica (Slovenian Nut Roll)
• Lemon, Pistachio, and Feta Strudel
• Chelsea Buns

Mixed Fruit Braid with Dried Fruit Filling

This year I have decided to make this Mixed Fruit Braid which have not made in a while. The filling may not always be the same as I use whatever dried fruits and preserves I have on hand. This time round I combined golden raisins, dried cranberries, crystallized ginger, and walnuts with blackberry jam. It turned out to be quite delicious!

This sweet bread is delicious on its own or with some butter spread on it. Makes a wonderful breakfast or tea time treat!

Similar Tools Used in Making This Mixed Fruit Braid

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy here.

• Sunbeam 2-Pound Programmable Breadmaker
• AirBake Nonstick 2 Pack Cookie Sheet Set, 14in x 12in and 16in x 14in
• Kitchenatics 100% Stainless Steel Wire Cooling and Roasting Rack

Print

Mixed Fruit Braid

Prep Time

2 hrs 15 mins

Cook Time

25 mins

Total Time

2 hrs 40 mins

 

Treat your family and friends to this festive and delicious Mixed Fruit Braid. It is has a sweet filling and is perfect for the holidays.

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Servings: 12

Calories: 233 kcal

Author: Linda Ooi

Ingredients

• ¾ cup milk (180ml)
• 1 large egg
• 2½ cups unbleached white bread flour (375g)
• ¼ cup golden flaxseed meal (25g)
• 1 tsp ground allspice
• 3 tbsp butter (52g)
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1½ tsp active dry yeast
• 1 egg (beaten for egg wash)

Filling

• ½ cup golden raisins (80g)
• ½ cup dried cranberries (80g)
• 2 tbsp crystallized ginger, (chopped) (20g)
• 3 tbsp blackberry jam or any jam of choice

Instructions

1. Pour milk into bread machine pan. Add egg. Sprinkle flour and flaxmeal over. Add allspice, butter, salt, and sugar in separate corners of bread pan. Make a shallow indentation in the middle of flour and add yeast. Snap bread pan into bread machine and close lid. Set bread machine to dough setting. Press the start button.
2. Mix all filling ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside.
   
3. When dough cycle has completed, remove dough from machine and place it on a lightly floured surface. Punch down gently and roll into a 12-inch x 16-inch rectangle.
4. Spread the filling mixture lengthwise over the middle third of the rolled out dough, leaving a 1 inch border on either end.
5. Cut diagonal strips of ¾ inch thick angled towards you on either side of filling.
   
6. Working from the far end, fold the end piece of dough, then braid dough strips over filling. Tuck in the end to seal.
7. Place on a baking sheet. Cover with oiled plastic wrap and leave in a warm place to rise for approximately 45 minutes.
   

8. Preheat oven to 375˚F (190˚C). Brush egg wash over braid.

9. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool.

Taking Time Off To Celebrate

I will be taking the week off to spend some quality time with family and friends. Please check my Facebook Fan Page for occasional updates. Posting here will resume on December 31st, 2012 to celebrate the 3rd Blogiversary of Roti n Rice. I hope to set up a linky party for the occasion. Until then, I would like to wish you all a very