Moist And Fruity Tea Loaf Recipes

THE EASIEST FAT FREE MOIST TEA LOAF

Steps:

• Place the dried mixed fruit & sugar in a large bowl and pour over enough hot tea to just about cover the fruit. Give it a quick stir to dissolve the sugar, cover with a plate and leave overnight.
• Pre-heat the oven to 170°C/340°F/gas mark 3. Add the beaten egg and sieve in the flour. Fold the mixture together with a spoon until it is all mixed in.
• Transfer the mixture to a standard 2lb loaf tin, lined with a standard 2lb loaf tin liner. Place on the middle shelf of the oven and cook for 1 hour and 10 minutes. To test if it's ready, insert a fork into the middle of the cake, if the fork is clean - ie no mixture is stuck to it, it is cooked through. You may need an extra 5 minutes.
• Leave it on a wire rack to cool. Cut into slices to serve. It's also lovely spread with butter.

SCOTTISH TEA BREAD (FRUIT LOAF)

Steps:

• Put all the dried fruit into a bowl with the brown sugar and pour the hot tea over the top. Cover and let stand on the counter overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C)
• Butter and flour the inside of a loaf tin and set aside.
• Place the fruit mixture into a large bowl and add the beaten egg, flour and baking powder and mix until well combined.
• Pour mixture into prepared pan and place into preheated oven. Bake for 60 to 65 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.
• Allow to cool in pan for 15 minutes, then carefully remove cake from pan and place on cooling rack. Cool completely before slicing. Serve with a hot cup of tea.

EASY FRUIT LOAF

Steps:

• Make 250ml (1 cup) of tea, using tea bags or loose leaf tea. Leave the tea to steep for five minutes - you need a strong brew!
• Pour the hot tea over the dried fruit and leave to soak for 2-3 hours or even overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 170C (325F) or 150C (300F) Fan Setting. Line a 900g (2lb) loaf tin with baking paper or use a cake liner.
• Add the eggs and brown sugar to the soaked fruit (no need to drain any liquid, should any remain in the bowl) and stir to combine.
• Sift in the flour and add cinnamon, tea leaves and orange zest. Mix everything together, making sure no dry pockets of flour remain.
• Pour the batter into the prepared cake tin and level. Bake for about 1 hour or until the cake is risen and a skewer inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean.
• Lift the cake out of the tin using the baking paper and cool on a wire rack. Top with the orange zest, if using and slice to serve.

TEA LOAF

Steps:

• Mix the sultanas, raisins and orange zest in a large mixing bowl. Pour over the tea and cover the bowl. Leave to sit for a minimum of 6 hours or ideally overnight to allow the dried fruit to soak up all the liquid.
• Heat the oven to 180C/160 fan/gas 4. Grease and line a 900g loaf tin. Add the eggs, flour and sugar to the soaked fruit, ensuring everything is well combined. Spoon the mixture into the tin and place in the centre of the oven for 1 hour 30 mins or until firm to the touch. Leave to cool in the tin for 15 mins before transferring to a wire rack.
• Cut into thick slices and serve with butter. To store, wrap tightly and keep in an airtight container for up to five days. The loaf will taste even better after a few days.

FRUITY TEACAKE

Steps:

• Place the dried fruits in a bowl and pour over the hot tea, orange juice and zest. Cover with cling film, then leave for at least 4 hrs or better still overnight.
• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Grease and line the base of a 2lb loaf tin. Beat together the butter and sugar until creamy, then beat in the egg followed by the flour. Carefully stir through the fruit mixture. Spoon the mixture into the tin, then smooth over the surface with the back of a spoon. Sprinkle all over with a thick layer of demerara sugar.
• Bake for 1 hr or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tin, then turn out, cut into slices and serve.

SUPER-EASY TEA LOAF

Steps:

• Put the dried fruit and tea in a bowl and leave to soak for a few hours. I usually do this the night before or in the morning before work.
• Pre-heat the oven to 150°C, or 180°C if your are not using a fan assisted oven.
• Add the sugar and flour to the tea and fruit mix, and the ground ginger if you choose to include it. Stir well until thoroughly combined.
• Scoop the mixture into a greased 2lb loaf tin and bake for 45 minutes to an hour.
• If you prick the cake with a cocktail stick and it comes out clean, it is ready. Leave the loaf to cool in the tin for at least 20 minutes. After that, run a knife along the outer edge of the loaf to loosen it and tip it onto a cooling rack.