Apricot Couronne

Ingredients

For the dough

• 2 cups bread flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 7g (¼oz) instant yeast (usually 1 packet)
• 3½ tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 3½ fl oz milk (slightly less than ½ cup, 0.44 cups)
• 1 egg, lightly beaten

For the filling

• 6½ tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 4½ oz ready-to-eat dried apricots, chopped and soaked in orange juice
• 1/4 cup plain flour
• 2¼ oz raisins (optional)
  • If ommitted, use 6oz of apicots instead of 4½
• 2/3 cup chopped walnuts (can replace with almonds)
• 1 tsp lemon juice

To finish (Glaze)

• ½ cup apricot jam
• 1 cups icing sugar
• ¼ cup flaked almonds

Instructions

1. Tip the flour into a large mixing bowl and add the salt to one side of the bowl and the yeast to the other. Add the butter, milk and egg and mix to combine, using your hands. Continue to mix until you’ve picked up all the flour from the sides of the bowl. Use the dough to clean the inside of the bowl and keep going until you have a soft dough.
    
2. Tip the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and begin to knead. Keep kneading for 8-10 minutes. Work through the initial wet stage until the dough starts to form a soft, smooth skin.
    
3. When the dough feels smooth and silky, put it into a lightly oiled bowl. Cover the bowl with a tea towel and leave to rise for one hour, or until doubled in size.
    
4. While the dough is rising, make the filling. Beat the butter and brown sugar together until smooth. Drain the apricots and add to the butter mixture along with the flour, raisins, walnuts and lemon juice. Mix to combine.
    
5. Line a baking tray with baking parchment or silicone paper.
    
6. Turn the risen dough onto a lightly floured surface. Taking care not to knock the air out of it, roll out the dough into a rectangle, approximately 33x25cm/13x10in. Turn the dough 90 degrees if necessary, so you have a long edge nearest you. Spread the apricot mixture evenly over the dough. Roll up the dough tightly (like a Swiss roll). Roll it slightly to seal, then cut it in half lengthways (you can leave one end joined to help you twist the dough and form the circular crown).
    
7. Twist the two dough lengths together to make a rope, then join the ends of the rope to form a circular ‘crown’. Transfer to the baking tray.
    
8. Put the tray inside a clean plastic bag and leave to prove for 45 minutes, or until the dough springs back quickly if you prod it lightly with your finger. Meanwhile, heat the oven to 375° F.
    
9. Bake the couronne for 25-30 minutes, or until risen and golden-brown. Set aside to cool on a wire rack.
    
10. Gently heat the apricot jam with a splash of water, then sieve it and brush it over the warm loaf to glaze. Mix the icing sugar with enough water to make a thin icing, drizzle over the loaf and sprinkle with the flaked almonds. Leave to cool before serving.