Mary Berry Bara Brith Recipe

Bara Brith, which is Welsh for ‘speckled bread’, is a classic teatime treat that is packed with fruit, spices and flavour. Mary Berry’s classic Bara Brith recipe is definitely one of the best around. It has a beautiful texture and an intense flavour that comes from the generous amounts of dried fruit and spices. This delicious fruit loaf is a great way to enjoy a nice cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate. So, put the kettle on and get baking!

Ingredients

225g/8oz sultanas
225g/8oz raisins
175g/6oz currants
50g/2oz mixed peel, chopped
50g/2oz glacé cherries, chopped
Grated rind and juice of 1 lemon
50g/2oz blanched almonds, chopped
1 teaspoon mixed spice
225g/8oz butter
225g/8oz soft light brown sugar
4 large eggs
350g/12oz self-raising flour
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 160°C/320°F/Gas Mark 3 and line a 1kg/2lb loaf tin with baking parchment.

2. In a large bowl, combine the sultanas, raisins, currants, mixed peel, glacé cherries, lemon rind and juice, almonds, mixed spice, butter and sugar.

3. Beat the eggs and add them to the mixture. Sift in the flour and bicarbonate of soda and mix until everything is thoroughly combined.

4. Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin and smooth the top. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.

5. Leave the Bara Brith to cool in the tin for 10 minutes, before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutrition

This Bara Brith is full of dried fruit and nuts, which means it’s packed with vitamins and minerals. It’s also a good source of energy, with each slice containing around 180 calories. And with its delicious combination of spices and dried fruit, this Bara Brith is sure to become a family favourite!