Mix the warm milk and yeast and allow to bloom for 5 minutes. Whisk together the eggs, xylitol, melted butter, orange zest and orange extract, then stir in the milk-yeast mixture. Use a wooden spoon or stand mixer fitted with a dough hook to mix in the salt, spice and flour until it makes a smooth dough (add more flour if needed, or a little more milk if it is very dry). Knead the dough for 3-4 minutes, then knead in the orange peel and mincemeat (or raisins - for the mincemeat, you might want to start with half and add more in as you go to ensure it doesn't get insanely sticky; if it starts to become hard to manage, add some more flour and stop adding mincemeat). If the dough gets very sticky at this point, then add some more flour - it should be soft but not super sticky.

Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with cling film or a tea towel and leave to rise for 1-1 1/2 hours. After this time, knead the dough a couple of times and shape into a ball. Place in a lightly greased and well-lined 18cm (7in) deep cake tin (6in and 8in tins work too with more or less dramatic rise, but the "deep" is important!) and leave to rise for another 30 minutes-1 hour. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180C/350F/gas 4.

When the dough has risen and oven is hot, brush the loaf with the extra egg beaten with a splash of water or milk, and bake in the oven for 35-45 minutes, until risen, golden and firm. Allow to cool completely before removing from the tin, then dust with coconut flour or icing sugar, if you like, before serving. Perfect for Christmas Day breakfast and/or for enjoy throughout the 12 days of the Christmas season afterwards!