Fruit loaf
Spiced chocolate fruit and nut loaf brushed with brandy. Makes 10 slices
An eggless, dark and spicy fruit loaf flavoured with cocoa, cinnamon and black treacle, with mixed nuts and dried fruit. It is brushed with brandy while warm and dusted with icing sugar. Serve in slices with fresh cream. Leave out the sherry and brandy for an alcohol-free loaf.
- Total time
- 65 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 10
Ingredients
- 9 oz plain flour
- 9 oz brown sugar
- 4 ½ oz buttersoft
- 1 ½ cups milk1½ cups
- 1 ⅝ oz milk powder3 tbsp
- 4 oz mixed nuts and dried fruitin pieces
- 2 tbsp drinking chocolate
- 1 ½ tbsp cocoa powder
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ cup sherry (optional)½ cup
- 1 tsp vanilla essence
- 1 tbsp black treacle
- ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 2 tsp baking powderlevel
To finish
- ½ cup brandy½ cup, for brushing
- 2 tbsp icing sugar
To serve
- ¾ cup fresh cream (optional)
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What you'll need
Spices & pantry
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Heat the oven to 325°F (275°F fan). Line a 21 × 11 cm loaf tin with baking paper. Toss the 4 oz mixed nuts and dried fruit in a spoonful of the flour so they don't sink.
Step 2: Mix the 9 oz plain flour, 9 oz brown sugar, 4 ½ oz butter, 1 ½ cups milk, 1 ⅝ oz milk powder, 4 oz mixed nuts and dried fruit, 2 tbsp drinking chocolate, 1 ½ tbsp cocoa powder, 2 tsp ground cinnamon, ½ cup sherry, 1 tsp vanilla essence, 1 tbsp black treacle, ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda and 2 tsp baking powder to a soft cake mixture.
Step 3: Pour into the tin and bake for 45 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
45 minStep 4: Turn the cake onto a rack, brush with ½ cup brandy, sprinkle with 2 tbsp icing sugar and leave to cool.
Step 5: Cut into slices and serve with ¾ cup fresh cream.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 405 kcal
- Protein
- 6 g
- Carbs
- 63 g
- Fat
- 13 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does fruit loaf take?
- About 65 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 45 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 10 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of plain flour?
- Self-raising flour, same amount (then leave out the baking powder).
- What can I use instead of brown sugar?
- White sugar + 1 tbsp molasses or treacle per 200g.
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