Imagine a slice of heaven that combines the rich, comforting flavors of traditional Welsh baking with the warm embrace of a perfectly brewed cup of tea. Bara Brith, literally meaning "speckled bread" in Welsh, is not just a recipe—it's a cultural treasure that will transport your taste buds to the rolling green hills of Wales. This moist, fruit-packed tea bread is more than just a treat; it's a delicious journey through centuries of Welsh culinary tradition that will make your kitchen smell absolutely divine!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 60 mins
Total Time: 75 mins
Cuisine: Welsh
Serves: 1 loaf
Ingredients
- 2 cups mixed dried fruit
- 1 cup strong brewed tea
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 egg
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon mixed spice
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the mixed dried fruit and strong brewed tea. Cover and let the fruit soak overnight to absorb the tea and become plump and soft.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9x5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper, allowing some overhang for easy removal.
- In a separate bowl, mix the brown sugar, melted butter, milk, and egg until well combined.
- In another bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and mixed spice.
- Drain any excess tea from the soaked fruit, but do not squeeze completely dry.
- Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, being careful not to overmix. The batter should be just combined.
- Fold in the soaked dried fruit, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 60-65 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
- Use the parchment paper to lift the bread out of the pan and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, slice and serve with butter. The bread can be stored wrapped in parchment paper or in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Tips
- Soaking the dried fruit overnight is crucial—this step ensures your bread is incredibly moist and the fruits are plump and flavorful.
- Use strong black tea like English Breakfast or Welsh Brew for an authentic taste. The tea is key to developing deep, rich flavors.
- Don't overmix the batter—mix just until ingredients are combined to keep the bread tender.
- Check the bread's doneness by inserting a skewer—it should come out clean with no wet batter.
- Let the bread cool completely before slicing to help it maintain its structure.
- For an extra traditional touch, serve slightly warm with a generous spread of butter.
- This bread actually tastes better the next day, as the flavors continue to develop and meld together.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 280kcal
Carbohydrates: 52g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 30mg
