Recipe: Welsh Tea Bread with Dried Cranberries
Welsh Tea Bread with Dried Cranberries
What is Welsh Tea Bread:
Welsh Tea Bread is a delicious loaf bread/cake full of dried fruit which has been soaked in strong tea for at least 6 hours but preferably overnight.
How long do you soak the dried fruit:
I think the minimum would be 4 hours but 6 hours is better. If you have the time soaking overnight really intensifies the flavours and is what I try to do.
What kind of dried fruit can you use:
Traditionally raisins, cherries and currents would have been used as they were the most widely available. Today however you can use any combination of dried fruit you like, for example sultanas, raisins, currents, grace cherries, mixed peel, glaze pineapple etc.
I am using dried cranberries for the majority of the fruit with a few chunks of glaze cherries and other place fruits which I was given from Walnut Tree Gifts.
Which tea is best:
I always use Earl Grey Tea because of the fragrant bergamot oil however you can use any black tea that you want. I wouldn’t use a green tea personally.
How do you serve it:
Once the tea cake is completely cool slice and serve with a good layer of unsalted butter!
How long will it keep:
Once completely cool store your tea cake in an air-tight container for up to 4 days. You can of course freeze it but do let it thaw completely before serving.
A simple recipe for a delicious Welsh tea bread ideally served sliced with butter and a cup of tea
- 400 gram Dried fruit
- 300 ml Earl Grey tea (use 2-3 bags for strength)
- 250 gram Self Raising Flour
- 100 gram Dark Muscovado sugar
- 1 tsp mixed spice
- 1 large egg
- 1 drizzle honey for the top
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Make a pot of tea using 2-3 Earl Grey tea bags. Let steep 5 minutes
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In a large bowl put the dried fruits and sugar and pour over the tea
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Leave to soak for at least 6 hours but overnight is preferable
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When ready to bake pre-heat the oven to 180℃/350℉/gas 4
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Prepare a 2lb/900 gram loaf tin (line with greaseproof paper)
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Into a bowl sift the flour and the mixed spice
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Add the dried fruits
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Add some of the liquid tea until the mixture is a dropping consistency and not too runny. you may need all of the liquid.
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Stir in the egg and mix well
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Put into the prepared tin
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Bake in the centre of the oven for 55-60 minutes.
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Leave in the tin to cool for 10 minutes
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Gently warm the honey and drizzle over the top of the loaf while it is still warm
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Remove from the baking tin and leave to cool completely
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Serve sliced with a nice thick spread of unsalted butter.
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Enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee
If you make this Welsh Tea Bread please take a photo and post it on my Instagram account and tag me @itsmeheidiroberts.
If you love baking you might like to try some of my other recipes – click on the links below to read them.
Shortbread Fingers with Melted Chocolate
California Prune Banana Bread with Walnuts
Easy Native American Maple Syrup Pie
If you make any of these please post a photo on Instagram and tag my Instagram page – @itsmeheidiroberts . I’d love to see them.
Disclaimer:
I was not required to write a positive post. This recipe was an original. All photographs are my own. No photographs may be reproduced in any form without my written permission.
