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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Steep dried fruits and citrus peel in strong black tea the evening before baking, allowing ingredients to absorb liquid and soften overnight.
- Remove soaked fruits from tea, gently draining excess liquid while preserving moistened texture.
- Warm oven to 160°C and prepare loaf tin with light butter coating to prevent sticking.
- Combine soaked fruits with granulated sugar, fragrant marmalade, and warming spices, ensuring even distribution.
- Whisk egg, melted butter, and milk into fruit mixture, creating smooth, consistent batter with gentle folding technique.
- Gradually incorporate flour into wet ingredients, mixing until just combined without overmixing to maintain delicate crumb structure.
- Transfer batter into prepared loaf tin, spreading evenly and smoothing surface with spatula.
- Bake in preheated oven for approximately 60 minutes, checking doneness with wooden skewer inserted into center.
- Once baked, brush warm loaf with glossy apricot jam for enhanced shine and additional sweetness.
- 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