01 -
Warm the milk only to 30–35°C. Mix flour, instant yeast, sugar and salt in a bowl. Add the milk and eggs, mix to a soft dough, then knead in softened butter gradually. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic; it should remain slightly tacky, not dry.
02 -
Cover the bowl and leave in a draft-free place for 60–90 minutes, until the dough is roughly doubled. Judge its volume rather than relying only on the clock. Meanwhile prepare the flavor ingredients as below.
03 -
Measure the flavor ingredients separately. Chop nuts and dried fruit into small pieces. Dice apple or pear to 5 mm. Wash citrus before grating only the colored zest. Dissolve any instant coffee in 10 ml hot water and let it cool.
04 -
Gently deflate the dough and knead in all prepared flavor ingredients just until distributed. Shape into a round and press into the lined 24 cm tin. Cover and let rise for another 30–45 minutes until visibly puffy. During the final 15 minutes, heat the oven to 180°C.
05 -
Bake at 180°C for 28–38 minutes until golden, with no raw dough in the center; a thermometer in the center should read approximately 93°C (200°F). Cover loosely if it browns too quickly. Cool 15 minutes in the tin, then at least 45 minutes on a rack before slicing.