Bara brith

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

1. Soak the mixed dried fruit in the hot tea, cover and leave to stand overnight.
2. Next day, set the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4 and grease and line a 2lb loaf tin.
3. 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.
4. Pour the mixture into a tin and bake for 45 - 55 minutes until risen and firm to the touch.
5. Cool and serve sliced and butter if you wish, or as a pudding perhaps serve with custard, ice cream or creme fraiche.