Favourite Fruit Loaf

Noo's Note:

I absolutely love this recipe! It’s so easy and so yummy. I don't make it as much as I used to for the simple reason that I tend to make a little piggy of myself when it’s in the house, and no-one else gets a look in! It’s great for afternoon/high tea with a little butter spread on it, and the kids love it!

• Total Time: 1 hrs 5 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 50 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 1 loaf

• 6 ounces self raising flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 ounces margarine
• 3 ounces sugar
• 4 ounces dried fruit
• 1 ounce cherry
• 1 egg
• 5 tablespoons milk

Directions:

1. Sieve the flour into a bowl and cut in the margarine.
2. Rub in the margarine until it resembles breadcrumbs.
3. Wash the fruit and roll in a little flour (stops it sinking).
4. Add the fruit and sugar to the flour and mix.
5. Beat the egg and gradually add to the flour mixture.
6. Grease a loaf tin.
7. Pour the mixture into the tin and bake for approx 50 minutes at gas mark 5.
8. Test the loaf by inserting a clean knife; if it emerges clean, it’s cooked.
9. NB-Most times I make this I double the recipe, as it gets eaten so quickly!

Reviews

[Lalaloula]

Mmmm, what a FANTASTIC LOAF!!! I made it for breakkie this morning using fresh nectarines and cherries and it came out so moist and tender on the inside with a lovely crunchy crust on top! :) Following Annacia's lead I too used applesauce in place of the butter, which worked out nicely. Mine was cherry and apple, so my bread looks a bit darker than the others. THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing this lovely recipe with us! I cant wait to make it again! Made and reviewed for PRMR August 09.

[Sydney Mike]

EASY, EASY, & SO TASTY, TOO! Made it with some diced mixed dried fruit & some dried cherries, & when served with some homemade orange butter, it is REALLY GOOD! It's another gread addition to my holiday gift ideas cookbook! Thanks for posting it! [Tagged, made & reviewed in Please Review My Recipe]

[Annacia]

After I bought a new battery for my scale (which I have been needing to do for awhile) my only question was whats gas mark 5?. I made 2 small 5x3 loaves and baked them in heavy ceramic dishes at 375 and they were done in 30 mins. To lighten the fat and sugar I used 3 Tbsp of light margarine and 3 Tbsp of unsweetened applesauce for the requested butter, replaced the sugar with 1/3 cup of Splenda, used 1/4 cup of egg white for the whole egg and skim milk. My fruit choices were candied lemon peel, golden raisins and dried cherries. The end result is terrific. It has a lot of flavor and has that rich taste even though it's been lightened a lot. This will be grand for the holiday season (possibly with a very light glaze drizzled over the loaf) but it's easy enough for pleasing the family just because you love them.