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Penrhyn bara brith

Bake some traditional Welsh bara brith (which means 'speckled bread') with this easy recipe from Penrhyn Castle's Victorian kitchens. Pronounced ‘ba-rah breeth’, this is a popular teatime treat in Wales made using dried fruit, spices and tea. It can be served on its own or spread with butter.

  • Overnight soaking and 10 minutes prep. time
  • 1 hour 15 minutes cooking time
  • Serves 10
  • Cakes, bakes & desserts
Bara brith, a traditonal Welsh tea-time treat in the restaurant at Plas Newydd, Anglesey
Bara brith, a traditonal Welsh tea-time treat | © National Trust Images/Paul Harris

Ingredients

  • 300g mixed dried fruit
  • 200g light brown sugar
  • 250ml hot strong tea
  • 350g self-raising flour
  • 3g mixed spice
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 50g softened butter (and extra for greasing)

Method

Step 1

Place the dried fruit into a large bowl with the sugar. Pour over the tea and stir together well. Leave to soak overnight.

Step 2

Preheat the oven to 160°C (140°C fan/gas mark 3). Grease and line a 900g loaf tin using the extra butter and some baking parchment.

Step 3

Add the flour and mixed spice to the bowl of soaked fruit. Mix together well before adding the egg and remaining butter.

Step 4

Pour the mixture into the prepared loaf tin and bake in the oven for 1 hour 15 minutes, or until a skewer pushed into the centre comes out clean.

Step 5

Once the loaf has cooled, cut into slices and serve either with or without butter and a well-earned cup of tea.

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