Apricot Cheese Loaf

A fruit-laden and slightly tart loaf. Excellent with tea or coffee.

Step: 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease one 9x5x3 inch loaf pan.

Step: 2

Pour boiling water over apricot pieces in a small bowl. Cool.

Step: 3

In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, soda, salt, and dates.

Step: 4

In a large bowl, cream butter or margarine, cream cheese, and sugar. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until smooth. Stir in cooled apricots and water. Pour in flour mixture, and stir until moistened. Turn batter into greased 9x5x3 inch loaf pan.

Step: 5

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 hour, or until it tests done. Let stand 10 minutes. Remove from pan to rack. Cool.

Per Serving: 271 calories; protein 4.6g; carbohydrates 49.1g; fat 7.2g; cholesterol 41.6mg; sodium 303.7mg.

The quality of the flour can make a real difference to your bread. Different makers do vary. Extra-strong or Canadian flours, which are naturally higher in gluten, may give you a better rise than standard dough flours – especially if you’re make wholemeal dough , which doesn’t always rise as well as white bread.

To made this in a breadmaker , add all the ingredients to your breadmaker and follow the makers instructions.

A bread first rising can be make in the fridge 24 hours . This slows down the time it takes to rise to double its size, giving it a deeper flavour. It’s also a great timesaver , as you can work it night before , then finish it off the next day.