Fennel Fig & Almond Bread

From: 'The Modern Baker' by Nick Malgieri

Note: I accidentally used 2 tablespoons of Fennel the first time. It was great!

Makes one 9 x 5 x 3-inch (23 x 13 x 7-cm) loaf, 12 to 16 slices.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (spoon flour into a dry-measure cup and level off)
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons fennel seeds, crushed
  • 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1 1/2 cups (8 to 9 ounces/225 to 250 grams) stemmed and diced white or black dried figs
  • 1 cup (about 4 ounces/100 grams) slivered almonds, lightly toasted

One 9 x 5 x 3-inch (23 x 13 x 7-cm) loaf pan, buttered and the bottom lined with a rectangle of parchment or buttered wax paper cut to fit.

Instructions:

  1. Set a rack in the middle level of the oven and preheat to 350ºF (180ºC).
  2. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and fennel seeds in a medium bowl and stir well to mix.
  3. In a large bowl, beat the butter until smooth, then beat in the sugar. Beat in the eggs, one at a time.
  4. Beat ½ the flour mixture into the butter and egg mixture, then gently beat in the milk, about 1⁄3 at a time. Beat in the remaining flour mixture. Use a large rubber spatula to fold in the figs and almonds.
  5. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake the bread until it is well risen and a toothpick or a narrowbladed knife inserted into the center of the bread emerges clean, about 1 hour.
  6. Cool the bread in the pan on a rack for 5 minutes, then unmold it and cool it completely on a rack. Transfer the bread to a platter or cutting board before serving.

SERVING: Cut the bread into thin slices and serve with butter or cream cheese.

STORAGE: Keep the bread under a cake dome or loosely wrapped in plastic wrap on the day it is made. Wrap in plastic wrap and aluminum foil and keep at room temperature for up to 3 or 4 days. Freeze for longer storage.