Spice Wholemeal Tea Loaf Food

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.

MOIST AND FRUITY TEA LOAF

Steps:

• Place the sultanas and raisins in a bowl and pour over the hot tea. Cover and allow to soak up the liquid overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 170°C/325°F. Line a 2lb loaf tin with baking parchment or a loaf tin liner.
• Combine the flour, baking powder, sugar and mixed spice in a mixing bowl and stir together.
• Mix in the melted butter and eggs - using a wooden spoon or spatula.
• Add in the raisins, sultanas and any liquid left in the bowl.
• Stir together until everything is thoroughly combined. It will be a very wet mixture.
• Spoon the mixture into the lined loaf tin, place in the oven and bake for 1 hour - to 1 hour 15 minutes. You'll know it's done when an inserted skewer comes out clean. If you find that the top of the tea bread is starting to look too dark whilst it's in the oven, you can cover it will foil.
• Once cooked, remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes. Then remove from the tin and allow to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

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!!

APRICOT TEA LOAF

Steps:

• Soak apricots in hot tea for 1 hour till tea is absorbed.
• Preheat oven to 180 degrees.
• Grease and line loaf pan - 13cms x 25cms.
• With electric mixer, cream butter and sugar
• Add egg and beat well.
• Fold in flour and apricots.
• Spoon into prepared pan.
• Bake 40-45 minutes.
• Cool in tin for 5 minutes then turn onto wire rack to cool.

DATE AND GINGER TEA LOAF

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Lightly coat an 81/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2 loaf pan with canola oil spray. Set aside.
• In one bowl, combine the banana, dates, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and maple syrup. In another bowl, combine the two flours, baking powder and salt. Set both bowls aside.
• In a large bowl, use a wooden spoon to cream the butter and sugar until fluffy.
• Mix in the eggs. The mixture may look curdled. Stir in the dry ingredients. Blend in the banana mixture, creating a sticky, thick batter. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing it evenly.
• Bake 35 minutes, or until the top is well-browned and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Let the cake rest 2 minutes in the pan, then turn out and cool it completely on a rack. If possible, wrap it in foil and set it aside for 24 hours before serving, to allow the flavors to mellow.
• If desired, slices of cake can be warmed just before serving by wrapping them in wax paper and heating in a microwave at low power for a few seconds.
• Makes 10 one-inch slices.

SUPER-EASY TEA LOAF

Steps:

• Put the dried fruit and tea in a bowl and leave to soak for a few hours. I usually do this the night before or in the morning before work.
• Pre-heat the oven to 150°C, or 180°C if your are not using a fan assisted oven.
• Add the sugar and flour to the tea and fruit mix, and the ground ginger if you choose to include it. Stir well until thoroughly combined.
• Scoop the mixture into a greased 2lb loaf tin and bake for 45 minutes to an hour.
• If you prick the cake with a cocktail stick and it comes out clean, it is ready. Leave the loaf to cool in the tin for at least 20 minutes. After that, run a knife along the outer edge of the loaf to loosen it and tip it onto a cooling rack.