Tea Loaf

I love baking and Mum's fruit tea loaf instantly reminds me of home it's almost like a safety blanket, I always feel better for it.

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   * When choosing the mixed dried fruit, you can use any sort of mixed fruit, chopped dried apricots, cherries, blueberries can be used but they make it a lot sweeter so if used reduce the amount of sugar by an ounce or two
   
   
   Instructions
   
   1. Overnight soak 8oz granulated sugar and 1lb mixed dried fruit in ½ pint warm/cold tea
   
   2. Preheat oven to 325°, 170°C (adjust if you have a fan oven)
   
   3. Grease 2 x 1lb loaf tins
   
   4. Stir 1 egg and 2 tbsps thick-cut marmalade into fruit mixture
   
   5. Sift together 8oz plain flour, 8oz wholemeal flour and 4 tsps baking powder. Add to the mixture and add a little milk if too dry to stir
   
   6. Divide mixture between tins and level tops
   
   7. Bake in centre of oven for 1‚½ hours until well risen and cooked through. If the tops are browning too quickly cover the loafs with foil
   
   8. Leave the loaves in the tins to cool for 10 minutes. Turn out onto wire rack and leave to cool. Serve sliced and buttered.
   
   Loaves will improve in flavour if stored for up to 4 weeks in tin