Marmalade and ginger tea loaf (recipe)

Hey peeps,

I was contacted by Sainsbury’s asking if I would like to create a recipe using some of their Basics ingredients, as they are trying to help people make the most of their money and Live Well for Less (see their website for more details and lovely recipes). They kindly sent me a parcel with some products:

Seeing the teabags, flour and mixed dried fruit all together put the idea of a tea loaf in my head- perfect for a relaxing Saturday afternoon.

Ingredients:

250ml hot water

3 teabags (I used 2 Basics- which are Fairtrade- and one chai)

4 tbs marmalade

175g mixed dried fruit (Basics)

3 pieces of stem ginger in syrup, chopped finely

375g plain flour (I used half plain and half wholemeal)

1 tbs baking powder

2 free range eggs

1 tsp mixed spice

Icing- optional- 2 tbs marmalade and 4 tbs icing sugar

Method:

Place the dried fruit, ginger and marmalade in a bowl along with the teabags, and pour over the hot water. Leave for around 10 minutes, then remove the teabags and soak for around an hour.

Preheat the oven to 150C and line a loaf pan (or use a paper loaf case).

Add the rest of the ingredients to the dried fruit mixture and stir well. Pour into the loaf pan and bake for around 75 minutes- test with a skewer; it should come out clean.

Leave to cool on a rack. If making the icing, warm the marmalade in a microwave for around 30 seconds, then stir in the icing sugar and spread on the cake.

It should keep for a week in an airtight container, or you could freeze slices if you left it un-iced.

I love any recipe that includes soaked dried fruit as I think it plumps up so well.

I went on a 10 mile run this morning, and this afternoon was feeling super hungry so had a slice with a cup of tea- perfect.

I love the slight bitterness you get from the marmalade, and the chunks of ginger add a warm spiciness to it.

 Are you a fan of tea loaf?