Spiced Loaf

SPICED LOAF

½ cup warm water (115)
1 package dry active yeast
½ cup flour
¼ cup butter
¼ cup honey
1 large egg
½ tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp ground ginger
½ tsp ground cloves
1 3/4 cup flour
¼ cup chopped walnuts
¼ cup chopped hazelnuts
¼ cup raisins
¼ cup chopped dates
2 tbs melted butter

Dissolve yeast in water; let sit for 5 minutes.  Stir in ½ cup flour, cover with a cloth and let rise 30 minutes.

In large bowl, beat butter until soft; add the honey, egg, salt, ginger and cloves.  Mix well.

Add yeast mixture to honey-butter mixture; gradually mix in remaining flour.  Beat for 5 minutes.
Add the nuts and fruits and mix well.
Cover bowl with a cloth, set in a warm place and let rise for 2 hours.  Punch down dough.
Place in a greased loaf pan, brush with melted butter, cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
Bake at 350 about 30 minutes.  Remove from pan and let cool on wire rack.

Serve with clotted cream, if desired