Tea Loaf, classic & very easy! 

A delicious fruited tea loaf recipe, literally packed with plump and juicy dried fruit. Served slathered with butter at tea time or in fact anytime of the day!

At Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy we love a classic and old fashioned recipe, more often than not – the best recipes! 

What is a Tea Loaf? 

Well it’s a very traditional English loaf cake/bread,  which I believe hails originally from Yorkshire – I may be wrong, please don’t shout! Traditionally served at teatime 🙂 

It’s tea soaked dried fruit  (whatever you like), sugar, eggs and flour and that’s about it. It’s moist and contains no added fat at all, and it tends to improve over a couple of days, so perfect for the cake tin! 

Oh and if  you like fruited loaves check out my Lincolnshire Plum Bread or my Apple & Fruit loaf, also delicious 

 

Ingredients for your Classic Tea Loaf Recipe 

It really is a very simple recipe – easy to knock up once a week! 

• Tea Bag 

Any standard teabag is fine (I use Yorkshire Tea) you simply make it up with boiling water and stew for 10 minutes 

• Dried Mixed Fruit

I just use supermarket bought dried mixed fruit (but you can use what you like) 

• Chopped Glace Cherries 

I add these as I love them – but totally optional. Also you could add chopped apricots or cranberries too 

• Golden Caster Sugar 

Adds a depth of flavour and a lovely golden colour. (You can use soft brown sugar if you wish and your loaf will be a little darker) 

• Eggs 

2 medium Eggs for this recipe (I also use free-range – my preference) 

• Self Raising Flour 

Helps to light your loaf cake to the perfect shape 

• Lemon Zest 

Add a fresh flavour and brings  out the fruity notes in your real oaf 

 

Recipe steps for this Tea Loaf

Step 1 – plumping your dried fruits 

Make your tea in a jug with the 2 teabags and boiling water – let it brew for 10 minutes or so 

Weigh out your dried fruits and golden caster sugar and put in a large mixing bowl 

Once your tea is brewed pour over your dried fruit and sugar mix and leave for minimum 3 hours or overnight if possible. This ensures your fruit is plump and juicy 

 

Step 2 – Tea Loaf Batter 

Preheat your oven – see recipe card 

Next add your 2 beaten egg and your Self-Raising Flour, together with your lemon zest

Mix well with a spoon or spatular (no stand mixer required here) 

 

Step 3 

Using a 2llb loaf tin and loaf tin liner (they are fantastic!) or your greased & lined tin, pour  in your batter (use a spoon if you prefer)

 

Step 4 

Bake! Until firm and golden 

 

 

 

Top Tips for your Tea Loaf 

• Please soak your dried fro for minimum 3 hours, overnight if possible. It makes your fruit really plump and juicy in your loaf 
• If you can possibly do it, try and leave your tea loaf loosely wrapped in baking paper in a sealed cake tin for a day or so  before you eat it (impossibly probably I know) it really helps the loaf mature – but if you can’t wait then you can’t 🙂 

 

How do I store my Tea Loaf 

Well it’s a great cake for keeping. 

I suggest you wrap it in baking paper and then foil and it should be good for 5 plus days 

And if you want to freeze it you can do that too. I suggest slicing and wrapping well and popping in the freezer – use within a month 

 

How to Serve your Loaf Cake 

Easy, thick slices, slathered in butter with a cuppa!! Simple 

Just look at it!! 

Loaf Tin

For this recipe you need a 2 llb loaf tin.

You can check the measurement of your tin. A 2llb loaf tin holds approx 2 pints of water plus  

 

Other Loaf Cakes 

I think if your love this tea loaf you’d also love my Easy Honey Loaf too 

Why not try my Jam & Coconut Loaf Cake it’s flipping delicious and very easy 

Oh and my new Golden Syrup Loaf Cake it’s so good 

At Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy we love a loaf cake and we have loads and loads, here are just a few 

 

The Old School Recipe Group

I also have a Facebook Closed Group called UK Olds School & Traditional Recipes 

Come over and join this great honest and Large community Facebook for Old School Recipes if you’re interested

 Just use the join button if you like real home cooked tasty easy food!!

Loads of tips and tricks – I promise

Oh and why not join me on Instagram – I’d love to see you there 🙂 

Big Love Clare