Bitsy's Kitchen
Fresh Cherry Breakfast Bread
2 cups pitted chopped sweet cherries
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. almond extract
1 cup skim milk
1/2 cup mashed potato
2 Tbsp. margarine
4 3/4 cups bread flour, divided
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 oz. dry yeast (1 package)
Vegetable cooking spray
1 egg white, lightly beaten
Tbsp. sugar
Combine cherries, water, and 1/4 cup sugar in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 7 minutes or until thickened, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in almond extract. Let cool.
Heat milk over medium high heat in a heavy saucepan to 180° F. or until tiny bubbles form around edge. (Do not boil.) Remove from heat; add potato and margarine, stirring until margarine melts. Let cool until very warm (120° F. to 130° F.).
Combine 2 cups flour and next 3 ingredients in a large bowl; stir well. Add milk mixture; stir until smooth. Add 2 cups flour; stir until a stiff dough forms. Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic (about 8 minutes); add enough remaining flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, to prevent dough from sticking to hands. Place dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to coat top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85° F.), free from drafts, 1 hour or until doubled in bulk.
Punch dough down, and turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead lightly 4 to 5 times. Roll dough into a 16 x 8-inch rectangle. Place on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Spread cherry mixture lengthwise down center third of dough. Make diagonal cuts, 1 inch apart, on opposite sides of filling to within 1/2 inch of filling. Fold strips alternately over filling from each side, overlapping at an angle. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85° F.), free from drafts, 1 hour or until doubled in bulk.
Uncover dough. Brush with egg white; sprinkle with almonds and 1 tablespoon sugar. Bake at 350° F. for 30 minutes or until loaf sounds hollow when tapped. Let cool on wire rack.
Yield: 1 loaf / 16 (1-inch) slices (serving size: 1 slice).