Well I had to start my blog with a firm family favourite and with Halloween around the corner it’s the perfect time to bake it too!

This recipe is taken from Edible Ireland

This recipe makes 2 loaves but if you only want to make one, simply half the ingredients, same cooking time though!

Ingredients:

• 200g raisins
• 200g sultanas
• 200g currants
• 100g chopped dates
• 600ml hot, strong black tea
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 450g self-raising flour
• 400g soft light brown sugar
• 2 level teaspoons of mixed spice

I can never make just one loaf of this tea brack, it is way too popular with my family. One loaf stays with us and the other always makes its way down to my Dad who is its biggest fan.

Preparation

Put the raisins, sultanas, currants and chopped dates into a very large mixing bowl. Pour the hot tea into the bowl and cover the bowl with a plate, leave overnight to soak.

Tea Soaked Fruit

Now to Bake

In the morning when you’re bright eyed and bushy tailed, preheat the oven to 180°C. Line two 450 g (1 lb) loaf tins with parchment paper.

Add in the eggs, self-raising flour, soft light brown sugar and mixed spice to the fruit and tea mixture. Stir well until everything is just combined. (Because there is a large amount of ingredients in one bowl I recommend using an electric kitchen machine and dough hook to do this.) Pour the batter into the prepared loaf tins. Bake for about 90 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean. Leave to cool on a wire rack, your house will smell divine all day!

The finished product. Can be stored in an air tight container.