Jamaican Cherry Ginger Bread

1. Put milk and butter in a medium saucepan; heat until warm (105 to 115 degrees). Pour milk mixture into a large mixing bowl. Add yeast; stir until dissolved. Add brown sugar, lime juice and salt; mix well. Add 2 cups bread flour. Beat on low speed with an electric mixer until flour is moistened; beat 3 minutes at medium speed. Stir in remaining 1-1/4 cups bread flour, coconut, dried cherries, lime peel and ginger; mix until dough pulls cleanly away from sides of bowl.
2. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, adding more bread flour, if needed. Place dough in a greased mixing bowl; cover loosely with plastic wrap and a cloth. Let rise in a warm place (80 to 85 degrees) about 1 hour, or until double in size.
3. Punch down dough several times to remove all air bubbles. Let rest 15 minutes. Shape into a loaf. Place in a greased 8-1/2x4-1/2-inch loaf pan. Cover; let rise in a warm place 45 to 60 minutes, or until double in size.
4. Bake in a preheated 350° F oven 40 to 50 minutes, or until golden and loaf sounds hollow when lightly tapped. Remove from pan immediately. Let cool on a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Note: To toast coconut: Spread coconut in an ungreased pan. Bake in a preheated 350° F oven 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until golden brown.

Makes 1 loaf, about 16 slices.
Courtesy of the Cherry Marketing Institute