Gluten Free Spiced Fruit Teabread Food

SCOTTISH TEA BREAD (FRUIT LOAF)

Steps:

• Put all the dried fruit into a bowl with the brown sugar and pour the hot tea over the top. Cover and let stand on the counter overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C)
• Butter and flour the inside of a loaf tin and set aside.
• Place the fruit mixture into a large bowl and add the beaten egg, flour and baking powder and mix until well combined.
• Pour mixture into prepared pan and place into preheated oven. Bake for 60 to 65 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.
• Allow to cool in pan for 15 minutes, then carefully remove cake from pan and place on cooling rack. Cool completely before slicing. Serve with a hot cup of tea.

TEA BREAD

Steps:

• Put the dried fruit into a bowl and pour the tea over, cover and leave overnight (not in the fridge).
• After overnight soaking..Preheat oven to Gas Mark 4. Line or grease a 2lb loaf tin.
• I use a loaf liner for ease
• Sieve the flour into a bowl and add spice if using. Pour over soaked fruit and any juices (remove teabag if using!).
• Add egg and stir well with wooden spoon until all mixed up.
• Spoon into prepared tin and if wished sprinkle over 1tsp of sugar (you don't have to but it gives it a nice crunch and it is only 1tsp!!).
• Put into oven and bake for about an hour, maybe a little more depending on your oven.
• When cooked through, remove from oven and cool on a rack.
• EAT!!! Lovely with butter spread on it. I know that defeats it being fat free but hey ho!!

SPICED FRUIT LOAF

Steps:

• Soak the dried fruits in the orange juice for about 30 mins, then sieve, reserving the juice.
• Put the flour, yeast, caster sugar and 1 tsp salt into a large mixing bowl with the spices and soaked fruit and mix well. Make a well in the centre and pour in the warm milk, reserved orange juice, the beaten egg and the melted butter. Mix everything together to form a dough - start with a wooden spoon and finish with your hands. If the dough is too dry, add a little more warm water; if it's too wet, add more flour.
• Knead in the bowl or on a floured surface until the dough becomes smooth and springy. Transfer to a clean, lightly greased bowl and cover loosely with a clean, damp tea towel. Leave in a warm place to rise until roughly doubled in size - this will take about 1 hr depending on how warm the room is.
• Knock the dough back by kneading for a few secs. Dust 2 x 2lb loaf tins with flour. Halve the dough. Use a little flour to help you shape each half into a smooth oval, then pop them into the tins. Cover both loosely with a clean, damp tea towel and leave to prove in a warm place for about 20 mins. Meanwhile, heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.
• Bake for 20 mins, then cool in the tins before turning out and slicing.

TEA LOAF

Steps:

• Mix the sultanas, raisins and orange zest in a large mixing bowl. Pour over the tea and cover the bowl. Leave to sit for a minimum of 6 hours or ideally overnight to allow the dried fruit to soak up all the liquid.
• Heat the oven to 180C/160 fan/gas 4. Grease and line a 900g loaf tin. Add the eggs, flour and sugar to the soaked fruit, ensuring everything is well combined. Spoon the mixture into the tin and place in the centre of the oven for 1 hour 30 mins or until firm to the touch. Leave to cool in the tin for 15 mins before transferring to a wire rack.
• Cut into thick slices and serve with butter. To store, wrap tightly and keep in an airtight container for up to five days. The loaf will taste even better after a few days.