Fruit Bread (guernsey Gâche Melée)

Fruit Bread, known as Guernsey Gâche Melée, is a traditional delicacy from the Islands of the North Atlantic (IONA) cuisine. This sweet and fruity bread is perfect for breakfast or as a snack with a cup of tea.

Fruit Bread (guernsey Gâche Melée)

Ingredients

  • 500g all-purpose flour
  • 7g instant yeast
  • 50g sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 75g unsalted butter, softened
  • 200g mixed dried fruits (raisins, sultanas, currants)
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 200ml warm milk

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, mix the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
  2. Rub in the softened butter until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
  3. Add the dried fruits and mix well.
  4. Add the beaten egg and warm milk, then mix to form a soft dough.
  5. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  6. Place the dough in a greased loaf tin, cover with a clean tea towel, and leave to rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
  7. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
  8. Bake the fruit bread for 45-50 minutes until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped on the bottom.
  9. Remove from the tin and cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Cooking & Preparation

Preparation time:
20 minutes
Cooking time:
1 hour
Total time:
1 hour
Cooking method
Oven

Nutritional facts per 1 serving

Calories
200 per serving
Carbohydrates
35g
Protein
4g
Fat
5g

Supplies

Loaf tin Clean tea towel Wire rack

Tools

Mixing bowl Measuring cups and spoons Pastry brush

Serving suggestions

Serve the fruit bread sliced and spread with butter or jam, alongside a hot cup of tea or coffee.

Tips & tricks

For extra flavor, you can soak the dried fruits in rum or brandy before adding them to the dough.

Cost

$10