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.

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.

WELSH TEA LOAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease two 9x5 inch loaf pans.
• Combine water and raisins in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in baking soda and let cool.
• In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition. Stir in molasses, vanilla and salt. Stir in flour and then beat in raisin mixture until well combined. Spoon batter into prepared pans.
• Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean, about 50 to 60 minutes. Cool in pans on a wire rack. Serve at room temperature.

CARDAMOM TEA LOAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Grease and flour a loaf pan.
• Combine dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
• Beat eggs and sugar together until creamy. Add dry ingredients and mix until combined. Mix in sour cream and melted butter.
• Pour batter into prepared pan, baking until done, about an hour.
• Cool in pan for 15 minutes, then turn out onto rack and finish cooling.
• Dust with powdered sugar.

MY GRANDMOTHER'S FAT FREE ENGLISH TEA LOAF - BREAD

Steps:

• You will need two 1 lb (450 g) loaf tins (6 x 4 x 2 1/2 inches), the bases lined with greaseproof paper (parchment).
• The evening before you want to bake these loaves, place all the fruits, including the candied peel, in a bowl, then dissolve the sugar in the hot tea, pour this over the fruits, cover the bowl and leave it overnight.
• Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 3, 325°F/170°C.
• Beat the egg and add the milk.
• Add the beaten egg & milk mixture to the bowl containing the fruits. Then sift in the flour, and mix them together well.
• Now divide the mixture between the prepared loaf tins and bake them in the centre of the oven for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours, or until they feel springy in the centre.
• Then straight away, loosen them with a palette knife and turn them out on to a wire rack to cool.
• Store in an airtight tin or cover with extra greaseproof paper and freeze. (For up to 3 months).
• These are great sliced, toasted and served with butter as a tea-time snack.