Thursday, September 18, 2008

FRUIT LOAVES


I am sure most families will have a recipe like this one. I can remember my Gran making it when I was a young child, and I was always so happy when she let me sift the flour into the mixture. In my mind I had made these fruit loaves. I later remember my mum making them. I loved to come home and smell the loaves cooking, the smell would permeate all through the house. I knew I would soon be tucking into a delicious piece of loaf. I loved the taste of the sultanas, plump and warm from the oven and the flavour of the mixed spices. This was probably when I became aware of the wonderful flavour spices could impart to your cooking. On a bad day I would not be allowed my taste as they were destined for a church sale, a school coffee morning, or for the ladies who would be arriving later. I could only hope there would be a piece left for me to savour when they had gone. Although I was given the recipe by my mum I rarely baked them. Why? I do not know. However when my mum passed away 3 years ago these fruit loaves suddenly became very important to me. I now have the original hand written recipe framed in the kitchen. A constant reminder of days which cannot be recaptured. I started to bake them. My younger daughter also took on the job. So the family fruit loaf recipe lives on to fight another day.
It is amazing how our sense of taste and smell can evoke the memory and take you back to a place or time, sometimes forgotten in the busy world of today. This is one of the easiest recipes you will ever make. Take time to bake, enjoy the aromas and savour the taste. You may be building the memories of tomorrow.

FRUIT LOAVES

1 Cup of Sugar
1Cup of Sultanas
1Cup of Water
4oz/ (1 stick butter)
1tsp Bicarbonate of Soda
1tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp mixed spices (apple pie spice)
Put all of the above ingredients into a pan, or microwave, and heat until butter has melted and sultanas are plump. 2-3 mins in microwave. Allow to cool.

Meanwhile heat oven to 180c/350f
Grease two 1lb loaf tins

Whisk together 2 Eggs
Sift 1 Cup of Self Rising Flour

When mixture is cool stir in the eggs followed by the flour.
Pour into the loaf tins and bake for 35-40 mins.

Remove from oven and leave in pans for 10mins then turn out onto a wire rack to cool.

Put on the kettle, make a cup of your favourite brew, cut off the end slice, you can butter it if so desired, kick off your shoes and sit back and enjoy.

1 comment:

t.bushard said...

Jacqui - I love the blog. Even if I only recognize a few ingredients like flour and salt. I am in need of brunch food. I would love something that I could prepare the night before. Tonya