Barmbrack (Fruit Tea Loaf)

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Traditionally baked for Halloween with little charms hidden inside for fortune-telling — we leave that part up to you. What matters is soaking the fruit properly the night before.

Ingredients

• 2 cups mixed dried fruit (raisins, sultanas, peel)
• 1 cup strong brewed tea, cooled — Barry's
• 1 cup soft brown sugar
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 cups self-raising flour — Odlums
• 1 tsp mixed spice

Method

1. The night before: soak the dried fruit in the cooled tea and sugar, covered, at room temperature overnight.
2. Heat the oven to 325°F. Line a loaf tin with parchment.
3. Stir the beaten egg into the soaked fruit mixture.
4. Fold in the flour and mixed spice until just combined — don't overmix.
5. Pour into the tin and bake 60–70 minutes, until a skewer comes out clean.
6. Cool in the tin 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack. Slice thick, butter it while warm.

Tip: Keeps well wrapped for up to five days — it actually improves after the first day.