Warning this sweet loaf is pretty big and designed more for sharing with family and friends, but will stay fresh for a few days so you get the chance to eat it all.

You'll need...for the dough
3/4 cup water, room temperature
2 tablespoons dried skimmed milk
3 tablespoons butter
1 egg, beaten
3 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups strong white bread flour
1 teaspoon yeast

For the filling....
400g mix dried fruit, sultanas, raisins, cranberries, apricots or anything you fancy
75g butter
50g caster sugar
1 beaten egg
50g ground almonds

To make...

Make your dough by mixing the above ingredients together or instead put it all in a bread maker and set to dough.

If doing it by hand mix well and knead together for 5 minutes.

Place the dough in a clean bowl and cover with cling film, leave to rise in a warm place for about 45mins or until it has doubled in size. The dough should spring back when you poke it.

Mix the butter and sugar to prepare he filling, until nice and creamy.
Gradually mix in the egg and then beat in the ground almonds until smooth.

Knead the dough for 3mins
Roll out into a floured surface into a rectangle, about 20 x 10 inches
Spread over the butter mixture and sprinkle the dried fruit over the top
Roll it up into a long sausage shape.
Cut down the middle and turn the two open edges to face upright.
Then twist the two strips together, this is quite hard as it can get a bit sticky.
Form into a circle and transfer to a lined baking tray.
Cover with a clean damp tea towel and leave to rise for 45 mins in a warm place

Bake at 200oC for 35mins or until golden