English Christmas Bread

[vegelady]

English Christmas Bread

1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup citron
1 package yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. allspice
1/2 tsp. caraway seed
1/2 cup boiling water
1/3 cup nonfat milk solids
3 cups sifted all-purpose flour, approximately

DIRECTIONS:

Chop raisins and citron. Soften yeast in warm water. Add boiling water
to sugar, butter, salt, and spices and cool to lukewarm. Combine nonfat
milk solids and 1 cup flour and add to the cooled mixture. Add softened
yeast and beat until smooth.

Blend in half the remaining flour and fruits and add remaining flour
gradually to make a soft dough. Turn dough out on a lightly floured
pastry cloth and knead until smooth.

Place dough in a greased bowl and turn once to bring greased side up.
Cover and let rise in a warm place until double in bulk (1.5-2 hours).
Turn dough out on a pastry cloth, knead, and shape into 2 loaves.

Place in greased pans 6 x 3.5 x 2.25 inches. Let rise until double in
bulk (about 1.5 hours). Bake in a slow oven (325 deg F.) for 1 hour.

Makes two small loaves.