Traditional British Fruit Loaf 🍞🍇
A cosy, spiced tea loaf brimming with juicy dried fruit—perfect with a spread of butter and a good strong brew. No kneading required, just good old-fashioned comfort.
Ingredients
For the Fruit Mix:
🍇 Mixed dried fruit: 300g (raisins, sultanas, currants)
☕ Hot strong black tea: 300ml (or apple juice for a no-caffeine version)
🍬 Light brown sugar: 100g
🍯 Golden syrup: 2 tbsp
🍂 Mixed spice: 1 tsp
🍋 Orange zest: From 1 orange
For the Loaf:
🌾 Self-raising flour: 225g
🥚 Egg: 1, beaten
Method
1️⃣ 🍇 Soak the fruit:
Combine the dried fruit, hot tea, sugar, syrup, mixed spice, and orange zest in a large bowl. Stir well, cover, and leave to soak overnight or for at least 4 hours.
2️⃣ 🔥 Time to bake:
Preheat the oven to 160°C (fan). Grease and line a 900g loaf tin.
Stir the flour and beaten egg into the soaked fruit mixture until just mixed. Pour into the prepared tin and level the top.
Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, or until a skewer poked into the centre comes out clean.
3️⃣ ❄️ Cool down:
Let the loaf cool in the tin for 15 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Serving Info
⏱ Prep Time: 10 minutes (+ soaking)
🍳 Bake Time: 1–1¼ hours
🍴 Makes: 10 slices
🔥 Calories: ~220 per slice
Tips
🍯 For a sticky top and deeper flavour, wrap in foil and leave a day before slicing.
🍂 Fancy a twist? Swap in cinnamon or nutmeg for the mixed spice.
❄️ Freezes brilliantly—slice before freezing for quick toasties!
Soft, sweet, and full of old-school charm—this fruit loaf is pure British nostalgia in every bite. 🍵💛