Bishops Bread II

Great for gifts. Make ahead and freeze for later. Rich and tasty!

Step: 1

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Lightly grease two 9x5 inch loaf pans.

Step: 2

In a large bowl, cream together the margarine and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition.

Step: 3

In a separate bowl, sift together flour, salt and baking powder. In a third bowl, combine the buttermilk, baking soda, vanilla extract and maraschino cherry juice.

Step: 4

Stir the milk mixture and flour mixture alternately into the egg mixture until a soft batter is formed. Fold in cherries, chocolate chips, dates, coconut and pecans. Pour batter into prepared pans.

Step: 5

Bake in preheated oven for 90 to 120 minutes, until loaves are firm and a toothpick inserted into the center of each loaf comes out clean.

Per Serving: 507 calories; protein 6.3g; carbohydrates 71.4g; fat 25.1g; cholesterol 31.4mg; sodium 302.1mg.

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

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

A dough’s first rising can be make in the fridge overnight . This slows down the time it takes to rise to double its size, giving it a deeper flavour. It’s also a great limit , as you can work it yesterday , then clear it off the next day.