🍞 Easy Fat-Free & Low-Sugar Tea Loaf Recipe
✅ Makes 1 loaf (10–12 slices)
📝 Ingredients:
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200g dried mixed fruit (e.g., raisins, sultanas, chopped dates/apricots)
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250ml hot strong tea (e.g., black tea, Earl Grey or fruit tea – no milk)
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1 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional, for a touch of sweetness – can be skipped for no added sugar)
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1 medium egg (or flax egg for vegan option)
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200g self-raising flour
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1 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
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1 tsp mixed spice or nutmeg (optional)
🍵 Optional Add-ins (for more variety):
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Zest of 1 orange or lemon
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50g chopped walnuts or almonds (not fat-free, but adds texture)
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1 small grated apple (adds moisture & sweetness)
🥣 Instructions:
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Soak the fruit
Put the dried fruit into a large bowl and pour over the hot tea. Add the honey or syrup if using. Stir, then cover and let it soak overnight, or at least 4 hours. This plumps up the fruit and gives a moist loaf without fat. -
Preheat the oven
Heat to 170°C (150°C fan) / 340°F / Gas 3. Line a 2lb loaf tin with baking paper or use a nonstick liner. -
Add wet ingredients
Beat the egg and mix into the soaked fruit and tea mixture. If using grated apple or citrus zest, add it now. -
Add dry ingredients
Sift in the self-raising flour and spices. Mix gently until just combined — don’t overmix. -
Bake
Pour the batter into the prepared tin. Smooth the top. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. -
Cool
Let cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
🍽️ Serving Tips:
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Serve sliced plain, or with a smear of low-fat spread or nut butter.
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Keeps for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
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Freezes well in slices (wrap individually).
💡 Nutrition Tip:
The sweetness comes mostly from the dried fruit, so no refined sugar is needed. If you want to lower the natural sugars further, use unsweetened dried fruits and skip honey/syrup.
Would you like a version using wholemeal flour or a gluten-free version too?
