Bara brith

2014/03/15

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

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.