Bara brith
This is not the traditional recipe for bara brith, meaning ‘speckled bread’ as the original recipe was based on an yeasted bread. However, this version which is widely served makes a beautifully moist cake as the dried fruit are soaked overnight in tea.
Serves: 8-10 slices | Prep: 15 minutes | Cook: 1 hour
Ingredients
400g mixed fruit (e.g. sultanas, raisins, currants)
300ml strong hot tea
250g self raising flour
1½ teaspoons mixed spice
75g dark brown muscovado sugar
1 tablespoon marmalade
1 egg, beaten
honey to glaze
Method
1. Put the dried fruit in a bowl and pour over the tea, mix in the sugar and marmalade and stir well to dissolve. Leave to soak for at least 6 hours or overnight.
2. Next day, sift the flour and spice into the soaked fruit (no need to drain the tea) and stir in the egg. Blend well together.
3. Preheat the oven to 180°C /Gas 4. Line a 900g loaf tin with bakewell paper and pour in the mixture.
4. Bake for approximately 1 hour until the cake has risen and cooked through.
5. Leave to cool on a rack and store for 2 days before eating. Serve sliced with butter.
This mixture can be doubled to make 2 loaves and will keep for up to 7 days.
Warm a little honey to drizzle over the surface of the warm cake for a glazed topping.