SWEET ITALIAN BISCUIT BREAD

Sweet Italian Biscuit Bread image

This is a unique, biscuit-like Italian bread flavored with sweet Marsala and studded with dried fruits. Beautiful when served with Mascarpone cheese blended with a bit of confectioner's sugar and a touch of vanilla extract - heaven with coffee! It's unusual, and one of my favorites from the Silver Palate authors.

Provided by EdsGirlAngie

Time 1h30m

Yield 1 loaf

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
4 eggs
3 tablespoons marsala
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 pinch salt
1/3 cup diced dried apricot
1/3 cup diced dried fig
1/3 cup diced dates
1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Butter and flour a 9x4 inch loaf pan.
Cream together butter and sugar.
Add eggs, one at a time, beating well.
Beat in Marsala, vanilla and salt.
Toss dried fruits with flour and stir mixture into batter until well-combined.
Stir in hazelnuts.
Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake about 1 hour, until slightly golden.
Remove from oven, let stand 10 minutes.
Place on a rack to cool completely.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 4515.4, Fat 248.1, SaturatedFat 126.2, Cholesterol 1334, Sodium 1769.1, Carbohydrate 489.9, Fiber 25.2, Sugar 292, Protein 64.5