Irish barmbrack (fruit loaf)

Ingredients

• 8 oz mixed fruit ((see notes))
• 1 cup black tea (cold)
• 3/4 cup soft brown sugar
• 1 egg (lightly beaten)
• 8 oz self raising flour (or 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour plus 2 1/4tsp baking powder and a 1/4 tsp, rounded, of salt)

Instructions

1. 1

   Put the fruit into a bowl with the tea and sugar, stir to dissolve sugar and leave to soak overnight.

2. 2

   Preheat oven to 325F/160C and grease and/or line a loaf tin (approx 8 1/2 x 4 1/2in/ 21 x 11cm, sometimes called a 1lb tin).

3. 3

   Add the egg and the flour (or flour, baking powder and salt) to the fruit and tea mixture and mix until combined but try not to overmix.

4. 4

   Tip the mixture into the prepared loaf tin, smooth the top a little and bake for 1 1/2hours.