Moist and Fruity Tea Bread - Packed full of tea-soaked fruit, this tea bread is beautifully rich and moist.
Was I insane?
All of those raisins seemed to be taking the place of some more deserving chocolate or jam.
I really didn't know what I was missing out on.
Nowadays, I can't get enough of a lovely rich slice of tea bread, served with a strong cup of builders tea.
Chris is obsessed with the stuff. If we go to a farm shop or market and he spots tea bread, he's paid for it before I even open my mouth. So I know I'm always going to have a happy husband when I make it at home!
You can make this Moist and Fruity Tea Bread with normal tea if you like, however today I've made this version using some more of the Neal's Yard goodies my friend Jess sent me (more about that in my raspberry macaroon granola post).
I used a little coconut oil again and I also soaked the sultanas and raisins in some beautiful skin tea. It's packed with goji berries, rosehip, hibiscus, bilberry and sweet orange - which complemented the raisins and mixed spice in the bread perfectly.
The sultanas and raisins are soaked overnight in the tea - which really plumps them up. The whole bowlful - including the leftover soaking liquor is added to the mix.
Right, I've gotta go, my kids are dragging me out of the door to watch Cinderella at the cinema (secretly excited 🙂 Can you take cake to the cinema??)
FYI – apart from the receiving the products, I’ve not been compensated for this post. Any opinions I’ve expressed are completely my own.
Check out Jess’s other products – including the coconut oil and tea here.
Moist and Fruity Tea Bread Recipe:
Moist and Fruity Tea Bread
Ingredients
- 150 g sultanas
- 150 g raisins
- 400 ml freshly made tea (using 4 heaped tsps of beautiful skin tea or 2 tea bags)
- 250 g plain (all-purpose) flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 200 g soft light brown sugar
- 1 tsp mixed spice
- 2 tbsp melted coconut oil - can be replaced with melted butter or vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
INSTRUCTIONS
- 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.
- Combine the flour, baking powder, sugar and mixed spice in a mixing bowl. Give it a stir, then mix in the coconut oil 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 dough. Spoon the wet dough 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.
✎ Notes
Heather Summers says
Made this delicious cake on a few occasions my husband and I absolutely love it.
Chris Corbishley says
Thanks Heather,
So glad you both enjoyed the cake 🙂
Thanks
Chris & Nicky
Marilyn Tasker says
Best tealoaf ever. It definitely keeps well. Thanks for the recipe.
Tracy Mullen says
Hi, do you have to soak the fruit in the tea overnight thank you
Chris Corbishley says
Hi Tracey,
It makes for much juicier raisins but you could soak them for 30 mins if you are short on time.
Thanks
Chris
Linda Williams says
This truly is a beautifully moist tea bread and is very light in texture. It's a real winner in our house.
Thank you Nicky
Elizabeth Russell says
Made this Tea Bread for the first time, really impressed , it’s delicious ! I used mixed fruit as It was all I had in cupboard.
Christine says
Good old fashioned tea loaf recipe, so moist and so tasty.
Sandra Amos says
This tea bread is gorgeous. Haven't made one for years but am certain will be making again very soon. We both had 2 chunks earlier so not sure how long it will last?!! I didn't have sufficient dried fruit which is unusual so added glace cherries, proper mixed peel, pecans, walnuts and almonds and in total weighed 330 grams, and a tsp. vanilla extract added to fruit before combining with flour. Such a lovely loaf and options with spices, fruits, nuts etc.
Thank you.
Di @ Bibbyskitchen says
Hi Nicky. This looks really delicious and fruity. I remember this from my childhood and we were also not too keen on all that fruit. With age I guess we start appreciating the classics that were part of our childhood. I'm going to give this one a go. Thanks Di
Nicky Corbishley says
Absolutely - my tastes have changed so much since I was a kid. I remember I used to think Spag bol was too adventurous for me!! Hope you enjoy it Di 🙂
Saz says
oh i am so making this tomorrow. Nicky your recipes are just too perfect.
Which spices would you recommend ? cinnamon and something ?
Nicky Corbishley says
Excellent 🙂
I use a mixed spice mix like this: http://www.amazon.com/Schwartz-Mixed-Spice-28g/dp/B003BQH3DC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432882528&sr=8-1&keywords=mixed+spice
It's made of Ground Cinnamon (40%), Ground Coriander (38%), Caraway, Nutmeg (4%), Ginger, Cloves.
If you didn't have any, then I would replace with cinnamon and a little dried ginger and nutmeg.
Saz says
thank you ! Ok i will try that. I have these 3 at home so it should work fine. I'll let you know how it went for the butter version 😉
Nicky Corbishley says
Brill, hope you enjoy it 🙂
Saz says
Ok... It got out of the oven 15minutes ago. Half of it is gone by now. absolutly goregeous !!
I love it. Works perfectly fine with butter 🙂
thank you !
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
I definitely wouldn't mind a slice along with my cup of afternoon tea right now. This fruity tea bread looks perfect.
Nicky Corbishley says
Thanks Thalia 🙂
kushi says
Perfection and Unique!!
Nicky Corbishley says
Thanks Kushi 🙂
June @ How to Philosophize with Cake says
That looks awesome! Love that it uses fresh tea right in there--bet it adds such a lovely flavor 🙂
Nicky Corbishley says
Thanks June, yes the tea is fab for the flavour and the moisture. Plumps the raisins up beautifully 🙂
Hadia says
Nicky, thie bread is calling me! I would love large piece of the bread with my morning coffee! Looks so tempting!
Nicky Corbishley says
Thanks Hadia 🙂
Irene Mchaffie says
lovely tea loaf i am going to try thank you x
Nicky Corbishley says
Excellent Irene, really hope you enjoy it 🙂