Schnitz Brod
A hearty, fruit-filled yeast bread with warm spices, nuts, and dried fruits, perfect for festive occasions or cozy family meals, offering rich flavors and moist texture.
Ingredients
- 1 qt. dried apples, cooked ⓘ
- 1 qt. prunes, cooked
- 1/2 c. granulated sugar
- 1/2 c. brown sugar ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. nutmeg ⓘ
- 1 tsp. cinnamon ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. cloves ⓘ
- 4 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/2 c. Crisco ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. molasses ⓘ
- 4 large yeast cakes ⓘ
- 3 c. warm water ⓘ
- 2 c. juice reserved from fruit
- 4 to 5 lb. Gold Medal flour ⓘ
- 1 lb. white raisins
- 2 c. chopped nuts ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook dried apples and prunes separately; let cool.
- Mix sugar, spices, salt, Crisco, and molasses together.
- Dissolve yeast in some of the warm water.
- Mix fruit, raisins, and nuts alternately with the flour.
- Use 5 pounds of flour with 6 cups of liquid in all, including 3 cups warm water, 2 cups drained from fruit, and rinsed fruit.
- Knead dough and let it stand to rise.
- Put dough in greased bread pans.
- Let the dough rise again.
- Bake for 1 hour: 15 minutes at 400°F, then 45 minutes at 325°F.
Tips & Substitutions
For an extra flavor boost, consider adding a splash of vanilla extract to the dough mixture. If you don't have Crisco, unsalted butter can be used as a substitute. Make sure your yeast is fresh for optimal rising; if it's not bubbling after being mixed with water, it may be inactive. Additionally, using whole wheat flour can add a nutty flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Schnitz Brod is delightful served warm with a spread of butter or cream cheese. It pairs wonderfully with a warm cup of tea or coffee. Consider serving it alongside No-Bake Crunch Balls for a sweet treat platter or a fresh fruit salad for a refreshing contrast. Enjoy it as a satisfying breakfast or snack.
Storage & Reheating
Once cooled, store the Schnitz Brod in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature or reheat slices in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes until warmed through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Schnitz Brod contains roughly 664 calories, with 9g protein, 126g carbohydrates, and 19g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (58% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (45% of the Daily Value), and potassium (24% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and iron. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1031mg per serving (45% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh fruit instead of dried?
While dried fruits provide a concentrated flavor and texture, you can use fresh apples and prunes. Just adjust the moisture content by reducing the liquid in the recipe. Keep in mind that the bake time may vary, so monitor the bread closely as it bakes.
What can I use instead of yeast?
If you're looking for a yeast substitute, you can use baking powder. However, the texture and flavor will differ. For every 4 teaspoons of yeast, use 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and be sure to add an acid like buttermilk or yogurt to help with the rise.
How can I make this recipe vegan?
To adapt the Schnitz Brod recipe for a vegan diet, substitute Crisco with coconut oil or vegan butter. Replace the large yeast cakes with an equivalent amount of active dry yeast, and ensure any sugar used is vegan. The rest of the ingredients are typically vegan-friendly, making this a simple adjustment.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).