Tea-soaked Fruit Loaf

Recipe for: CAKE – TEA-SOAKED FRUIT LOAF

Ingredients:

·        500g mixed fruit

·        8 strong tea bags

·        300ml boiling water

·        500g self-raising flour

·        325g butter, cold and cut into small cubes

·        250g caster sugar

·        3g mixed spice

·        Pinch salt

·        5 eggs

Method:

1.      Heat oven to 150C (fan)

2.      Butter and line 23cm round cake tin with baking parchment

3.      Place tea bags in a large bowl and add the boiling water to make VERY strong tea

4.      Add mixed fruit and stir well

5.      Allow to soak until tea is cold (or overnight)

6.      Remove teabags

7.      In another large bowl place the flour

8.      Add the butter and rub in with your fingers until your breadcrumb consistency

9.      Add sugar, salt and mixed spice.  Stir well

10.   Add the eggs and stir well

11.   Add the soaked fruit and liquid and stir well

12.   Scrape mixture into cake tin and level the top

13.   Bake in the oven until risen and golden, and a skewer comes out clean

14.   Remove from oven and allow to cool in the tin

15.   Remove to a wire rack and cool completely