Sugar Plum Bread

Name: Sugar Plum Bread
Ingredients: 1 cup pitted dried plums, coarsely chopped; 3/4 cup water; 2 tablespoons plus 3/4 cup sugar, divided; 2 tablespoons shortening; 1 large egg, room temperature; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 tablespoons coarse sugar

10 ingredients

3 steps

Ingredients

1 cup pitted dried plums, coarsely chopped
3/4 cup water
2 tablespoons plus 3/4 cup sugar, divided
2 tablespoons shortening
1 large egg, room temperature
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons coarse sugar

Directions

1

Preheat oven to 350°. In a small saucepan, combine dried plums, water and 2 tablespoons sugar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat for 1 minute. Remove from heat; let stand until plumped, about 10 minutes. Drain plums, reserving fruit and liquid. Measure liquid, adding enough water to yield 1/2 cup.
2

Cream shortening and remaining sugar until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Beat in egg. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add to creamed mixture alternately with cooking liquid; fold in cooled dried plums (batter will be thick).
3

Transfer batter to a greased 8x4-in. loaf pan. Sprinkle with coarse sugar. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs, 40-45 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.