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Recipe: Welsh Tea Bread with Dried Cranberries

Welsh Tea Bread with Dried Cranberries

Wooden board with Welsh tea bread and three slices

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.

Earl Grey tea packets along with dried cranberries and a few glacé fruits

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.

Six packets of Earl Grey tea but different brands. Ready for the Welsh fruit cake

How do you serve it:

Once the tea cake is completely cool slice and serve with a good layer of unsalted butter!

Two slices of the tea bread with butter - the perfect serve

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.

Close up shot of slices of Welsh Tea Bread showing dried cranberries and chunks of glacé fruit

Welsh Tea Bread with Dried Cranberries
Prep Time
1 hr 15 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
 

A simple recipe for a delicious Welsh tea bread ideally served sliced with butter and a cup of tea

Author: Heidi Roberts
Ingredients
  • 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
Instructions
  1. Make a pot of tea using 2-3 Earl Grey tea bags. Let steep 5 minutes

  2. In a large bowl put the dried fruits and sugar and pour over the tea

  3. Leave to soak for at least 6 hours but overnight is preferable

  4. When ready to bake pre-heat the oven to 180℃/350℉/gas 4

  5. Prepare a 2lb/900 gram loaf tin (line with greaseproof paper)

  6. Into a bowl sift the flour and the mixed spice

  7. Add the dried fruits

  8. Add some of the liquid tea until the mixture is a dropping consistency and not too runny. you may need all of the liquid.

  9. Stir in the egg and mix well

  10. Put into the prepared tin

  11. Bake in the centre of the oven for 55-60 minutes.

  12. Leave in the tin to cool for 10 minutes

  13. Gently warm the honey and drizzle over the top of the loaf while it is still warm

  14. Remove from the baking tin and leave to cool completely

  15. Serve sliced with a nice thick spread of unsalted butter.

  16. Enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee

The tea bread showing all of the dried cranberries and glacé fruits

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.

Easy Cinnamon Crumb Cake

Easy Cornbread with Chilli

Shortbread Fingers with Melted Chocolate

California Prune Banana Bread with Walnuts

Easiest Flapjacks Ever

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.

 



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