Autumn Spiced Fruit Loaf

As the seasons change, why not get baking to prepare some cosy snack for chilly days with this Autumn spiced fruit loaf.

Embrace the flavours of Autumn with deliciously warming cinnamon, mixed spice and a medley of dried fruit.

Perfect for a comforting mid afternoon snack, this fruit loaf offers a naturally sweet, nutrient packed snack with seasonal spices that will fill your kitchen with the cosy scents of fall.

Time: 1 hour 30 minutes Serves: 2 loaves

Ingredients

• 1 cup self-raising flour
• 1 cup plain flour
• 1 cup sultanas
• 1 cup raisins
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 70g margarine or butter
• Tablespoon cinnamon
• Tablespoon mixed spice
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup water
• ¼ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

Method

1. Add the sultanas, raisins, sugar, salt, water and butter into a saucepan over a medium heat. Bring to the boil then lit it simmer for a couple of minutes.
2. Fill up the sink with cold water and stand the pot in the cold water to cool the mixture. You can stir it regularly to speed up the cooling process.
3. Once the mixture has cooled (around 10 minutes), add the eggs and mix well.
4. Sieve the flour and add to the mixture with the spices and bicarbonate of soda.
5. Pour the mixture into two loaf baking tins that have been lined with greaseproof paper and some margarine or butter to prevent the loaves sticking.
6. Bake in the oven for 1 hour but check regularly from 45 minutes onwards to prevent burning. Use a sharp knife to test if it’s ready (it should come out clean).
7. Leave to cool before slicing and enjoy.

Top tips

The fruit loaf will keep in an airtight container for 1 week, or up to 1 month in the freezer.

You can also had decoration such as icing sugar or add in different dried fruit such as dried apricots or cranberries.