Guernsey Gâche

About This Recipe

Guernsey Gâche is a sweet fruit bread that's lighter and less dense than typical fruit cakes. It's traditionally served toasted with butter and jam, making it a beloved teatime treat on the island. This guernsey gâche is shaped by the home cooks who refined it across generations, balancing tradition with everyday practicality. The aroma at the table — warm, inviting, a little buttery — is exactly what a good morning calls for. Home cooks return to it because the technique is forgiving once the order of operations clicks: build aromatics first, season in layers, and let time do the heavy lifting. The result lands somewhere between everyday and special — humble enough for a weeknight, generous enough for company.

Ingredients

Serves 10

• 400 gstrong white flour
• 150 gdried mixed fruit
• 75 gbutter
• 1 tspsalt
• 7 ginstant yeast
• 200 mlwarm milk

Instructions

1. 1

   Mix dough

   Combine flour, salt, and yeast. Rub in butter until mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

2. 2

   Add liquid

   Stir in warm milk until a dough forms. Knead for 5 minutes until smooth.

3. 3

   First rise

   Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.

4. 4

   Add fruit

   Knead in dried fruit, shape into a loaf, and place in greased tin.

5. 5

   Second rise and bake

   Let rise for 30 minutes, then bake at 200°C for 35-40 minutes until golden.

Variations

• •

  Use different dried fruits like apricots or dates

• •

  Add spices like cinnamon

• •

  Make into rolls instead of a loaf

• •

  Vegetarian: swap the protein for roasted king oyster mushrooms, smoked tofu or cooked chickpeas — adjust seasoning slightly upward to compensate.

Storage

Keeps well wrapped for 3 days. Freezes well for up to 3 months. Best served toasted.

Frequently Asked Questions