Traditional Welsh Bara Brith Fruit Cake Recipe

Bara Brith Recipe

Another traditional Welsh recipe I love making is Bara Brith. It is a very old traditional native dish, with recipes being passed down for generations. This is one such recipe! Unfortunately I did not get the chance to meet my grandmother, someone who I've been compared to on so many occasions. Even so, she has inspired me in many ways, from her delicious baking recipes to her classy ladylike ways of never going out without your face on! This recipe was given to me by my mother, on a small piece of paper written in my grandmother's lovely swirled writing, and I now wish to share with you to try for yourself! A sweet spongy loaf filled with warm spices and dried mixed fruits, this is a great comfort food and perfect for tea parties!

Wales at it's finest.

As with all traditional recipes, there are many variations to make Bara Brith. Some require soaking the dried fruit in tea for 30 minutes beforehand, while others use different sugars and spices. For me however, this recipe has produced the most traditional flavour and texture, and has earned the most compliments everytime I've baked it. (This recipe also happens to be the first baking order I received!). Using only 7 ingredients, it really is a simple but delicious treat, ready in approx. 1 1/2 hours (cooking time).

Fruit and cake have never been more well-acquainted!

Love cake? Love warm spices and fruits encased in a baked sweet spongy loaf?! Of course you do! This is definately my favourite dessert, served warm and smothered in butter with a nice hot mug of tea!
Being that a very important date in the Welsh calendar is coming up in less than a month (1st of March!), why not try baking some of this Welsh Bara Brith along with some Authentic Welsh Cakes to celebrate all that is Welsh on St David's Day!

Ingredients

For the Loaf:

4oz Butter or Margarine

1 cup Granulated Sugar

1 cup Milk

1 Egg

12oz Self-Raising Flour

1 packet Mixed Dried Fruits (e.g raisins, sultanas, cranberries, small dried apple, candied orange peel etc)

2 to 3 teaspoon Mixed Spice

For the Sugar Glaze:
2 to 3 Tsp Brown Sugar (I used Demerara, although any brown sugar would work)
Approx. 50 ml Hot Water

Additional Brown or Granulated Sugar to sprinkle on top (Optional)

Directions

• Preheat an oven to 190°C.
• Grease a loaf tin (alternatively, you may use a cake tin although this will make it more cake like and take less time to bake).
• In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and well mixed.
• Beat in the egg and add the milk.
• Mix in the flour with a spoon and add the mixed spices, stirring until well mixed.
• Mix in the dried fruit (don't worry about adding too much, it is meant to be very well packed with fruit).
• Bake for approx. 1 hour 30 min (until brown / slightly blackened and firm / crispy on top).
• In a small saucepan, combine 2 to 3 teaspoons of brown sugar with hot water and heat until the sugar is partially melted. Drizzle over the cake.
• Place back into the oven for approx. 5 to 10 mins (until the sugar is glazed on top).

Tips & Serving ideas

• Serve warm thick slices with a thick layer of good quality butter and a cup of tea!
• Sprinkle cinnamon or nutmeg on top before baking.
• Add some nuts or orange zest/juice to the mixture.
• Serve with honey, jam or marmalade.

                


Cara X