If you're a bread lover looking for a delicious new recipe to try, look no further. I present you the recipe for apricot bread, a sweet and fruity bread that is perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack. This apricot bread is made with dried apricots, which gives it a sweet and tangy flavor that is absolutely delicious. Here is a step by step recipe on how to make apricot bread.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dried apricots
- 1 cup of hot water
- 1 package of active dry yeast (about 2 and 1/4 teaspoons)
- 1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
- 3 cups of bread flour
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
Step by step:
Step 1: Start by cutting the dried apricots into small pieces. Place them in a bowl and pour hot water over them. Soak the apricots in hot water for about 10 minutes so they can soften.
Step 2: While the apricots are soaking, dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Let the yeast rest for about 5 minutes until it starts to foam. This indicates that the yeast is active and ready to use.
Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the bread flour, sugar and salt. Add the softened butter and egg to the flour mixture. Then add the dissolved yeast and water with apricots (be sure to drain the apricots before adding the water).
Step 4: Mix everything together until the dough begins to form. Then add the dried apricots to the dough and continue to mix. The dough should be sticky, but not too wet. If the dough is too sticky, add more flour, one tablespoon at a time, until the consistency is correct.
Step 5: Once the dough is ready, place it on a lightly floured surface and knead it for about 10 minutes. The dough should be smooth and elastic when finished kneading.
Step 6: Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a clean dishtowel. Let the dough rest and rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until the dough has doubled in size.
Step 7: After the dough has risen, knead it again briefly to remove the air. Then form the dough into a loaf and place it in a greased loaf pan.
Step 8: Let the bread rise again in a warm place for about 30 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.
Step 9: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Bake the loaf in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the top of the loaf is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when you tap the bottom lightly.
Step 10: Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then remove it from the pan and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
Congratulations, you've just made delicious apricot bread! This bread is perfect to serve for breakfast, or as an afternoon snack with a little butter or cream cheese. Enjoy!
