Guernsey Gâche (Channel Islands Fruit Loaf)

Ingredients

• 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3.5 oz (100g) butter
• 1 packet (7g) active dry yeast
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1.25 cups (300ml) warm milk
• 3 cups (450g) mixed raisins, sultanas and candied peel

Before you cook

• Sift the flour and salt into a large bowl.
• Rub the butter into the flour with your fingertips until it looks like coarse breadcrumbs.
• Dissolve the yeast and sugar in the warm milk and let it sit for 5 minutes, until foamy.

Steps

1. Pour the yeast mixture into the flour and mix to form a very soft, wet dough.
2. Fold in the mixed dried fruit until evenly distributed.
3. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1.5 hours, until well risen.
4. Turn the dough into a greased 1-pound loaf tin.
5. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 30 minutes.
6. Reduce the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C) and bake for another 30 minutes, until deep golden and cooked through.
7. Turn the loaf out onto a rack and let it cool completely.
8. Slice and serve buttered.