Paul's Chocolate and Cherry Loaf

Ingredients

• 500g strong plain flour, plus extra for dusting
• 2 tsp salt
• 30ml olive oil
• 10g fast action yeast
• 320ml cold water
• 390g jar black cherries, drained
• 100g plain chocolate chips
• 100g white chocolate chips

Instructions

1. 1
   Put the flour into a bowl with the salt, olive oil and yeast. Slowly add the water and mix by hand until the dough is pliable.
2. 2
   Tip the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 4 – 7 minutes. Add the cherries to the dough, (you may need to add a little more flour if the mix becomes too sloppy), then add the chocolate chips.
3. 3
   Mix well, adding a little flour if the dough becomes too soft. Put the dough back in the bowl and leave to rest for 1 – 1½ hours until doubled in size.
4. 4
   Dredge a baking tray with flour. Shape the dough into a 2 strand plait and place on the baking tray. Dust with flour, place in a large plastic bag and leave to prove for 1 hour.
5. 5
   Preheat the oven to 400F. Bake the bread for 20 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 375F and bake for a further 20-25 mins, then transfer to a wire rack to cool.