Brunches Recipes - Apricot and Raisin Bran Loaf

Ingredients

• 150 g (5 1/2 oz) dried apricots, chopped

• 160 g (1 cup) raisins

• 70 g (1 cup) processed bran cereal

• 95 g (1/2 cup) lightly packed soft brown sugar

• 375 ml (1 1/2 cups) warm milk

• 125 g (1 cup) self-raising flour

• 75 g (1/2 cup) whole meal self-raising flour

• 1 teaspoon mixed spice

• icing (confectioners') sugar (optional)

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Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F/ Gas 4). Grease a deep 18 x 11 cm (7 x 4 1/2 inch) loaf tin and line the base and sides with baking paper.

2. Soak the apricots, raisins, bran cereal and brown sugar in the milk in a large bowl for 30 minutes, or until the milk is almost completely absorbed. Sift in the flours and mixed spice, then stir to form a stiff, moist batter.

3. Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin and smooth the surface. Bake for 50 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean when inserted into the centre of the cake; cover with foil during cooking if it browns too much.

4. Leave in the tin for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool. Cut into thick slices. Dust with icing sugar and serve with butter.