Bara Brith Bread

Total Time: 2 hrs 35 mins Preparation Time: 2 hrs Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients

• / - 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2/3 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup butter or 1/4 cup margarine
• 1 egg
• 2/3 cup dried currants or 2/3 cup raisins

Recipe

• 1 combine 1 1/4 flour and the other dry ingredients (first five).
• 2 in a saucepan heat buttermilk, sugar, butter and salt just until warm (115-120 degrees f), making sure butter is melted; stir constantly.
• 3 add to flour mixture, adding the egg in as well. beat on low speed of electric mixer for 30 seconds. then beat at high speed for 3 minutes.
• 4 stir in currant or raisins and as much of the remaining flour as can be mixed with a spoon. turn onot floured surface and knead in enough of the remaining flour to make moderately stiff dough (takes 6-8 minutes).
• 5 shape into ball and place into a greased bowl, turning it over once. cover and let rise until doubled (about 1 1/4 hours). punch down and shape into a loaf. put into a greased 8x4x2 inch loaf pan, cover and let rise till nearly double (30 minutes).
• 6 bake in oven at 375 degree f for 35-40 minutes, making sure to cover with foil the last 20 minutes. remove from pan and let cool.