Almost Fat Free British Tea Loaf Recipes

THE EASIEST FAT FREE MOIST TEA LOAF

Steps:

• Place the dried mixed fruit & sugar in a large bowl and pour over enough hot tea to just about cover the fruit. Give it a quick stir to dissolve the sugar, cover with a plate and leave overnight.
• Pre-heat the oven to 170°C/340°F/gas mark 3. Add the beaten egg and sieve in the flour. Fold the mixture together with a spoon until it is all mixed in.
• Transfer the mixture to a standard 2lb loaf tin, lined with a standard 2lb loaf tin liner. Place on the middle shelf of the oven and cook for 1 hour and 10 minutes. To test if it's ready, insert a fork into the middle of the cake, if the fork is clean - ie no mixture is stuck to it, it is cooked through. You may need an extra 5 minutes.
• Leave it on a wire rack to cool. Cut into slices to serve. It's also lovely spread with butter.

MY GRANDMOTHER'S FAT FREE ENGLISH TEA LOAF - BREAD

Steps:

• You will need two 1 lb (450 g) loaf tins (6 x 4 x 2 1/2 inches), the bases lined with greaseproof paper (parchment).
• The evening before you want to bake these loaves, place all the fruits, including the candied peel, in a bowl, then dissolve the sugar in the hot tea, pour this over the fruits, cover the bowl and leave it overnight.
• Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 3, 325°F/170°C.
• Beat the egg and add the milk.
• Add the beaten egg & milk mixture to the bowl containing the fruits. Then sift in the flour, and mix them together well.
• Now divide the mixture between the prepared loaf tins and bake them in the centre of the oven for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours, or until they feel springy in the centre.
• Then straight away, loosen them with a palette knife and turn them out on to a wire rack to cool.
• Store in an airtight tin or cover with extra greaseproof paper and freeze. (For up to 3 months).
• These are great sliced, toasted and served with butter as a tea-time snack.

OLD FASHIONED ENGLISH TEA LOAF

Steps:

• Soak the dried fruit in the brewed tea for 4-5 hours (can be left overnight).
• Grease a 2lb loaf pan and line the bottom with non-stick baking paper (or use a non-stick loaf liner).
• Pre-heat the oven to 160C (160C for fan also) / 325F.
• Tip the dried fruit and any remaining tea into a mixing bowl. Stir in the sugar and marmalade/jam. Sift in the flour, baking powder and spice. Tip any remaining wheatgerm from the sieve into the bowl. Add 3 TBSP water and stir until thoroughly combined.
• Tip the mixture into the prepared tin and level the top.
• Bake for 1¼ hours, or until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean. Leave to rest in the tin for 30 minutes or so, then transfer to a wire rack until completely cooled.
• Stored in an airtight container, the loaf will keep for up to five days in the fridge. It also freezes well.