ABC March 2013 - No Knead Mixed Fruits Bread

Pardon the change in the name of the bread
Originally it's called no knead cherry pecan bread, but since I did not use any nuts, I omitted the chocolate chips, and instead of only dried cherries, I also added dried prunes, apricots and golden raisins
I had all those in the fridge and I couldn't decide which one to use, in the end I used up all LOL

This one easy to make and delicious bread is the third bake for Avid Baker's Challenge this year
I have been absent for the past three months and Hanaa, the host for this event, was so kind to allow me to continue baking together :)

I like this bread, very crusty top and soft, moist and chewy inside
When I saw other members' bakes, the top looks more brown than mine, I guess I should have altered the baking time to achieve that

Recipe is from King Arthur Flour's site, the recipe source for this year's ABC bakes

I made only half recipe, cos I knew this bread is not fancied by my kids :)

I replaced the flour with bread flour (since I read that all purpose flour by King Arthur has higher level of gluten compared to others)
I ommited chocolate chips and nuts. I used a mixture of golden raisins, dried apricots, dried prunes and dried cherries. Here I used 1 1/2 cups (for half recipe), I found it way too much and made the mixing with the bread dough a little challenging. The next time I make this bread again, I'll use 3/4 cup and 1/4 cup nuts (for half recipe) :)
I didn't use rye flour, instead I replace it with whole wheat flour, in all I used 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour (for half recipe)
Added the water a little to 225ml from 200ml  (for half recipe)
Oh, and I soaked the dried fruits in dark rhum for about an hour
I also reduced the salt to 3/4 tsp (for half recipe)

Following the majority opinion of the reviewers I read, I didn't mix in the dried fruits before the initial overnight rise, I did so the next day before the second rise
What I did was, I flattened the risen dough, made it into rectangle shape, sprinkled the dried fruits inside, and rolled it starting from the shorter end.
I shaped it into a ball, and placed it in a lined 6 inch round pan (for half recipe) (important to line it for easy removal)
Be sure that the dried fruits are all hidden inside the dough, to prevent it from getting burnt during baking
Then I left to rise for 3 hours

I baked in a preheated oven of 240degC for 20 minutes covered (I used Vision pot cover) (I think 25 minutes should do better) and then further bake for another 30 minutes uncovered

Leave to cool before cutting this bread, to avoid having a gummy texture bread :)


In overall, I enjoyed this bread, I enjoyed it toasted too, just plain or with a spread of cream cheese... yummy choice for breakfast :)
The best part of this bread is, no kneading at all! I like :)

Please view HERE for other members baked this bread :)