Getting Ready for Christmas - Part 9 - Mum's Plum Bread

This is what we all look forward to at Christmas - Mum's Plum Bread.  All our family love this but it is best made a couple of weeks before Christmas and then popped into storage tins wrapped in foil.  This allows the bread to give a little.  Traditionally we serve this in slices with butter on and also with a very strong cheddar cheese and an apple.

The family tradition is that the senior female member takes over and makes this for the family as and when we lose dear ones.  My Grandmother started this, and my mum took over from her as it is now my turn.  I thought that I would share this with you as it is meant to be shared.

Ingredients

2lb SR Flour

1/2lb margarine (we use butter)
1lb sugar (we tend to use soft brown)
2 eggs
1oz fresh yeast or packet of active yeast
1 1/2lb of  mixed fruit, cherries, sultanas, raisins mixed peel, currants
1 pint of milk
1/4 tsp of nutmeg
Method: 

Sieve flour into bowl rub in butter or marg until like coarse breadcrumbs and then add the sugar, dried active yeast., grated nutmeg and then the mixed dried fruit

Beat eggs and milk together add to dry mixture until well combined.

Line  2 x 2lb Bread tins with greaseproof paper and then add the mixture to the tins.

Bake in the oven for approximately 2 hours at Gas mark 3.

Let cool then wrap in foil and keep in storage tins somewhere cool in the pantry.

Bring out when you need it - keeps well and there is always something in the tins then for unexpected visitors.  You must keep it well wrapped though as it does dry out otherwise as the mixture is much more cakey than a traditional bread dough.

I hope you enjoy this.

Pattypan