Three Fruit Loaf Recipes
'Stir' Tea Loaf
A healthy option, with the inclusion of wholemeal flour & the exclusion of butter, which still tastes rich, thanks to the tea-soaked dried fruit.
Place 1½ cup mixed dried fruit & 1 cup currants in a large bowl. Pour over 1 cup cold strongly-brewed tea, stir in 1tb treacle then leave to soak overnight.
Stir in 1 beaten egg. Separately mix dry ingredients: 2 cup wholemeal flour, ½ cup white sugar, 4ts baking powder & 1ts mixed spice, then add this to fruit mix. Scoop batter into a prepared loaf tin. Bake at 160°C for 70 min. This loaf keeps well, becoming more moist as it ages.
Try a slice smeared with quince paste.
Date & Peel Loaf
A simple loaf which is low in fat, high in fibre and a great keeper. Swap dried prunes for dates - they work just as well.
Into a large bowl put 200gr dates & 1ts baking soda then pour over 1 cup boiling water & cover. When cool, after a couple of hours, mash till smooth. Stir in 1 egg, 30gr melted butter, ½ts vanilla, 200gr brown sugar and 100gr home-made peel.
Combine dry separately: 2 cup flour, 2 ts baking powder, 1tb mixed spice & dash of salt. Add dry to wet, then scoop batter into a prepared loaf tin. Bake at 170°C for 70 min. Mature covered for a day, to soften.
Banana Loaf - with chocolate
Spread chocolate prune paste on hot, freshly toasted banana loaf. It just melts right in!
This recipe makes 2 loaves.
Mix the wet ingredients together in a big bowl:
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup white sugar
- 2ts vanilla
- 150gr melted butter
- 700gr banana pulp
Mix the dry ingredients in a separate bowl:
- 3 cup flour
- 2ts baking soda
- 1ts baking powder
- ½ts salt
Stir both together just to combine but don't overmix. Scoop batter into 2 prepared loaf tins and bake at 170°C for 60 min.
