Spiced bread

A fragrant loaf sweetened with honey and lifted by warm spices — perfect served fresh or crisped into toasts.

INGREDIENTS

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125g butter

400g honey

200g water

125g caster sugar

1 tbsp Ricard (or similar pastis)

500g cake flour

20g baking powder

½ tbsp cinnamon

4g star anise (ground)

1 tbsp orange zest

4g mixed spice

½ tbsp ground ginger

Method

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Place the butter, honey, water, sugar and Ricard into a bain-marie and heat gently to 50°C.

Sieve together the flour, baking powder, and spices.

Fold the warm liquid mixture into the dry ingredients.

Transfer into buttered and floured long moulds.

Bake at 175°C for 10 minutes, then reduce to 160°C and bake for 30–40 minutes. Test with a skewer — it should come out clean.

Turn out onto a wire rack to cool. Once cool, wrap in clingfilm or freeze if storing.

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To make the toasts

Slice the bread and serve fresh, or dry in a low oven at 70°C until crisp. Alternatively, simply toast before serving.