Homemade Bara Brith Recipe: A Sweet Welsh Tea-Time Delight

Welsh bakers have long treasured bara brith as a cultural delicacy that weaves nostalgia and comfort into every slice.

Generations of home cooks passed down this unique tea bread through whispered kitchen secrets.

Fragrant spices and dried fruits dance together, creating a symphony of flavors that speak directly to your soul.

Rich dried fruit soaks overnight, promising deep, complex tastes in each tender crumb.

Our cherished recipe captures the essence of traditional welsh baking with simple, honest ingredients.

Warm memories of cozy afternoons emerge as you slice into this beloved bread.

Prepare to experience a delightful journey through welsh culinary heritage that will transport you straight to a countryside kitchen.

Different Takes On Mary Berry Bara Brith Recipe

• Gluten-Free Bara Brith: Replace wheat flour with almond or rice flour for a celiac-friendly version.
• Vegan Welsh Bread: Swap eggs with flax eggs, use plant-based butter, and choose dairy-free milk alternatives.
• Rum-Soaked Fruit Variation: Substitute tea with dark rum for a richer, more intense flavor profile.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use stevia or honey instead of sugar, and select reduced-sugar marmalade to decrease overall sweetness.

Perfect Matches For Mary Berry Bara Brith Recipe

• Pair Warm Tea with Brewed Comfort: Serve this traditional Welsh bara brith alongside a steaming cup of black tea, enhancing the bread's rich tea-soaked flavors and creating a cozy afternoon treat.
• Complement with Creamy Butter Spread: Top slices with a generous layer of salted Welsh butter or clotted cream, which adds luxurious richness and balances the bread's dense, fruity texture.
• Match with Sweet Preserves: Accompany the bara brith with homemade strawberry jam or marmalade, amplifying the existing citrus and fruit notes and providing an extra layer of sweetness.
• Enjoy with Afternoon Cheese Plate: Pair thin slices with mild cheddar or soft goat cheese, creating a delightful contrast between the bread's sweetness and the cheese's savory profile.

Best Way To Store Mary Berry Bara Brith Recipe

• Store wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil for up to 5 days in the refrigerator, maintaining moisture and freshness.
• Slice bara brith, wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months without losing texture or flavor.
• Keep in airtight container at cool room temperature for 2-3 days, away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
• Warm slightly in microwave for 15-20 seconds or toast thin slices in toaster oven until edges crisp and center becomes warm and soft.

Mary Berry Bara Brith Recipe Questions Answered

• What is Bara Brith?

Bara Brith is a traditional Welsh fruit bread that literally means “speckled bread” in Welsh, typically made with tea-soaked dried fruits and often enjoyed as a teatime treat.

• Can I use different types of tea for soaking the fruits?

Yes, black tea works best, with traditional Welsh breakfast tea or English Breakfast tea being ideal, but Earl Grey or strong black tea also work well for creating flavor depth.

• Is Bara Brith a sweet or savory bread?

Bara Brith is a sweet bread, with added sugar, marmalade, and spices that give it a rich, warm flavor profile typical of traditional Welsh baking.

Why Mary Berry Bara Brith Recipe Is Full Of Warmth

• Quick-Bake Welsh Delight: Bara Brith offers a simple baking experience with minimal preparation steps, perfect for novice and experienced bakers wanting a traditional Welsh treat.
• Flavor-Packed Tradition: Soaking fruits in tea creates deep, rich flavors that make this bread exceptionally moist and deliciously aromatic, capturing authentic Welsh culinary heritage.
• Make-Ahead Magic: This recipe allows advance preparation, letting bakers soak fruits overnight and rest the bread after baking, which intensifies taste and makes serving convenient for gatherings or afternoon tea.
• Versatile Serving Option: Slice and enjoy as a breakfast bread, afternoon snack, or dessert companion, making it adaptable for multiple occasions from casual family moments to elegant tea parties.

Ingredients Used In Mary Berry Bara Brith Recipe

• Tea: A flavorful liquid that softens and infuses the dried fruits with rich taste.
• Dried Fruits: Classic Welsh bread components that provide natural sweetness and texture.
• Flour: The essential base that gives structure and body to the Bara Brith bread.

• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps in caramelization.
• Marmalade, Egg, Butter: Provide moisture, richness, and help bind the ingredients together.

• Spice, Milk, Peel, Apricot Jam: Contribute depth of flavor, moisture, and a glossy finish to the traditional Welsh bread.

Step-By-Step Mary Berry Bara Brith Recipe

Step 1: Steep Dried Fruits in Tea

Combine dried fruits like raisins, currants, and candied peel in a large bowl. Pour strong black tea over the fruits and let them soak overnight, allowing the flavors to meld and soften the fruits completely.

Step 2: Prepare Baking Setup

Warm the oven to 160 degrees Celsius. Grease a standard loaf pan with butter, ensuring every corner is well-coated to prevent sticking.

Step 3: Create Flavor Base

Mix in brown sugar, tangy marmalade, and warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. These ingredients will create a rich, complex flavor profile for the bread.

Step 4: Combine Wet Ingredients

Whisk together a fresh egg, melted butter, and whole milk. Gently incorporate these wet ingredients into the fruit and sugar mixture, creating a smooth, cohesive batter.

Step 5: Introduce Flour

Sift plain flour into the mixture, folding carefully until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender and light.

Step 6: Bake the Bread

Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for approximately one hour, or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.

Step 7: Apply Finishing Glaze

While the bread is still warm, brush the top with apricot jam for a shiny, sweet finish that adds an extra layer of flavor.

Step 8: Allow Proper Resting

Let the bara brith cool completely on a wire rack. For best results, wrap and allow to rest for 24 hours before slicing, which helps the flavors develop and intensify.

Helpful Hints For Mary Berry Bara Brith Recipe

• Steep Fruits Thoroughly: Use strong black tea like English Breakfast or Welsh Brew for maximum flavor absorption and richness in your bara brith.
• Control Moisture Carefully: Drain fruits completely after soaking to prevent excess liquid from making the bread too dense or soggy.
• Enhance Spice Profile: Add a pinch of ground nutmeg or cinnamon alongside mixed spice to deepen the traditional Welsh cake's aromatic complexity.
• Rest and Develop Flavors: Allow the bara brith to sit wrapped in parchment for 24-48 hours after baking, which helps intensify the tea-soaked fruit's taste and improves texture.
• Serve Smart: Slice thinly and enjoy with salted butter at room temperature, or lightly toast for a crisp, caramelized edge that elevates the traditional tea bread.

Bara Brith Recipe

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4.5 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Welsh bara brith brings a slice of traditional heritage to your tea time, weaving together rich dried fruit and warming spices. Sweet memories of home-baked comfort await you in this classic British bread that connects generations through its simple, hearty charm.

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Ingredients

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Fruits and Dried Fruits:

• 500 grams (17.6 ounces) mixed dried fruits (sultanas, raisins, and currants)
• 50 grams (1.8 ounces) candied orange peel
• 3 tablespoons orange marmalade
• 2 tablespoons apricot jam
• Optional: a splash of brandy

Baking Ingredients:

• 300 grams (10.6 ounces) all-purpose flour
• 150 grams (5.3 ounces) dark brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon mixed spice
• 50 grams (1.8 ounces) butter, melted
• 1 large egg, beaten

Liquids:

• 300 milliliters (10.1 fluid ounces) strong Assam black tea
• 150 milliliters (5.1 fluid ounces) milk

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Instructions

1. Steep dried fruits and citrus peel in strong black tea the evening before baking, allowing ingredients to absorb liquid and soften overnight.
2. Remove soaked fruits from tea, gently draining excess liquid while preserving moistened texture.
3. Warm oven to 160°C and prepare loaf tin with light butter coating to prevent sticking.
4. Combine soaked fruits with granulated sugar, fragrant marmalade, and warming spices, ensuring even distribution.
5. Whisk egg, melted butter, and milk into fruit mixture, creating smooth, consistent batter with gentle folding technique.
6. Gradually incorporate flour into wet ingredients, mixing until just combined without overmixing to maintain delicate crumb structure.
7. Transfer batter into prepared loaf tin, spreading evenly and smoothing surface with spatula.
8. Bake in preheated oven for approximately 60 minutes, checking doneness with wooden skewer inserted into center.
9. Once baked, brush warm loaf with glossy apricot jam for enhanced shine and additional sweetness.
10. Allow bread to cool completely at room temperature, then wrap tightly and let mature for 24 hours to develop deeper flavor profile before slicing.

Notes

• Enhance flavor by using strong black tea like Earl Grey or Welsh Breakfast for deeper, richer taste.
• Swap dried fruits for gluten-free options like cranberries or chopped apricots to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Rest the bread overnight to allow flavors to develop and improve texture, making it more moist and dense.
• Serve slightly warmed with butter for traditional Welsh tea-time experience, perfect for afternoon snacking.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Welsh

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 334
• Sugar: 38 g
• Sodium: 65 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 64 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 37 mg