Bara brith
2014/03/15
Sharon and Martin Brownjohn
This Welsh fruit cake is called bara or bread because it looks like a
bread loaf - and it's pretty healthy too! If catering for ten
volunteers bake two for a hearty pudding or just one if it's for a
slice each with a cup of tea.
On a weekend residential don't forget to soak the fruit on the
Friday night for cake on Saturday and you'll need a couple of large
loaf tins or equivalent.
Ingredients
- 280g mixed dried fruit
- 400ml hot black tea
- 85g soft brown sugar
- Grated rind of 1 lemon
- 340g self raising wholemeal flour
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon of cloves
- 1 large egg
Method
- Soak the mixed dried fruit in the hot tea, cover and leave to stand overnight.
- Next day, set the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4 and grease and line a 2lb loaf tin.
- Strain the fruit and reserve the liquid. Mix together the fruit with the other ingredients in a bowl, adding the reserved liquid a little at a time until a soft, dropping consistency is achieved.
- Pour the mixture into a tin and bake for 45 - 55 minutes until risen and firm to the touch.
- Cool and serve sliced and butter if you wish, or as a pudding perhaps serve with custard, ice cream or creme fraiche.