Bara Brith (Welsh Tea Bread)

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease a 9x5 inch loaf tin (2 pound loaf tin).

Step 2

Put the raisins, sultanas and currants in a bowl along with the candied lemon and orange peel.  Pour the hot tea over the fruit, stir, cover and let sit overnight.Depending on how dry or moist your raisins/currants were to begin with they will have absorbed nearly all of the liquid.  If there is some liquid remaining reserve about 2 or 3 tablespoons of it to brush on top of the finished bread.

Step 3

In the bowl of a stand mixer, place the flour, baking powder, salt and spices and stir to combined.  Add the fruits and their juices (except for the juice you reserved) along with all remaining ingredients. Use the paddle attachment to mix the ingredients into a batter that resembles a soft cookie dough.  (If the batter seems too dry after you've mixed it add either a little melted butter or a little bit of egg yolk.)

Step 4

Scoop the batter into a greased loaf pan and use the back of a spoon or your fingers to smooth the top. Bake for 70-85 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.Spoon or brush the reserved dried fruits liquid over the top of the hot bread and let it cool for a few minutes before removing it from the loaf pan to cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 5

To serve cut into slices and spread with butter.  Traditionally enjoyed with a cup of tea.