Sugar Plum Bread

• 1 cup pitted dried plums, coarsely chopped
• 3/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons plus 3/4 cup sugar, divided
• 2 tablespoons shortening
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons coarse sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350u0b0. In a small saucepan, combine dried plums, water and 2 tablespoons sugar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat for 1 minute. Remove from heat; let stand until plumped, about 10 minutes. Drain plums, reserving fruit and liquid. Measure liquid, adding enough water to yield 1/2 cup.
2. Cream shortening and remaining sugar until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Beat in egg. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add to creamed mixture alternately with cooking liquid; fold in cooled dried plums (batter will be thick).
3. Transfer batter to a greased 8x4-in. loaf pan. Sprinkle with coarse sugar. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs, 40-45 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

water, sugar, shortening, egg, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, coarse sugar

Taken from www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/sugar-plum-bread/ (may not work)