INGREDIENTS

450g of plain bread flour

1tsp mixed spice

1tsp baking powder

175g/6oz Muscavado sugar
1 medium size free-range egg
1tbsp orange zest
2tbsp orange juice
1tbsp honey
300ml/½pt cold tea
450g/1lb mixed, dried fruit
Extra honey for glazing

METHOD

Put the mixed dried fruit into a mixing bowl, pour over the tea, cover and leave to soak overnight. The next day mix together the sugar, egg, orange juice, zest and honey, add to the fruit. Sift in the flour and spice, and mix well. Pour the mixture into a buttered loaf tin, 1.2L/2pt. Bake in a preheated oven at gas3/160c/325f for about 1¾ hours. The loaf should be golden in colour and firm to the touch in the middle. Baste with honey whilst still warm. Allow to cool thoroughly before storing in a cake tin.