My husband is a very simple man with very simple tastes. There is nothing he loves more than a fruit tea loaf, and this is one of the best.
The recipe has been adapted from one I found in the cookery book, Supper For a Song by Tamasin Day-Lewis.
Its a really simple loaf to make but does need some prior planning, as you need to soak the fruit overnight in an amount of Earl Grey Tea, which really helps to plump up the fruit nicely.
I love the flavours of Earl Grey, with the Bergamot . . .
I like to use a really nice fruit when I make a fruit loaf. I use a quality dried fruit mix, with plenty of sultanas, currants, raisins and cherries.
I also added some dried cranberries to the mix, but dried blueberries would also be nice.
Its also very low in fat, in that there is no fat added.
Just the soaked fruit, some dark brown sugar, a beaten egg and some self rising flour. It goes together lickety split!
You can easily make your own self rising flour by adding 1 1/2 tsp of baking powder and 1/4 tsp salt to each cup of flour.
This is delicious cut into thin slices.
You can toast it or not . . . but a tiny bit of softened butter is also a great addition when you come down to eating it.
Oh boy . . . a lightly buttered slice of this goes down really well with a nice drink at breakfast, or for coffee time, tea time, or just because, just because . . .
just because you fancy something a little bit like this. Oh we are so naughty sometimes!
*Earl Grey Fruited Tea Loaf*
Makes one 2 pound loaf
This
is a moist and fruity loaf that is delicious sliced thinly and
buttered, toasted or not as you please. Plan ahead as you must soak the
fruit overnight prior to baking. I use a luxury mix of fruit, which has
dried currants, sultanas, raisins, dried cranberries and cherries. This
loaf keeps beutifully and freezes well. You can keep it for about a
week wrapped in greaseproof paper, foil or in an airtight tin.
Place the fruit into a bowl along with the sugar. Pour the hot tea over it. Cover with a tea towel and leave to set overnight.
Simple and old fashioned. You can't get much better than this! Bon Appetit!
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It does look moist and delicious..
ReplyDeleteIt's fabulous!
ReplyDeleteHi - I am in the US - could you tell me the dimensions of a 2 pound loaf pan? Sometimes US pans and UK pans are different and I want to be sure mine isn't too far off. I make a lot of your recipes and I really like them!
ReplyDeleteHi there! My pan is 9 X5 X 4 approximately! I hope this helps! I am so pleased you enjoy my recipes!
DeleteI love this recipe; thank you for sharing it. I like eating it slathered with an imported Irish butter we get here. As an American of only British heritage, I am glad that you are debunking the myth that my ancestor's cooking is mediocre.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, Kerry Butter. Its the best! xoxo
DeleteA favourite with my family !
ReplyDeleteYou can't beat a good fruity loaf Debs! xoxo
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