Bara Brith (Welsh Tea Bread)

4.34 from 6 votes

Bara brith or Welsh tea bread is a super easy rich Welsh fruit loaf made with tea. This quick bread only takes a few ingredients to make and a few steps. This is a non-traditonal method and recipe.

Prep Time5

Cook Time1 30

Additional Time1

Total Time2 35

Course: Bread & Rolls

Cuisine: Welsh

Keyword: bara brith, quick bread recipe, tea bread, tea loaf, welsh tea bread

Servings: slices

Calories: 172kcal

Author: Amy D

Equipment

Ingredients

1 1/4 cup boiling water
1 cup dried fruit blend* see notes for suggestions
1 tea bag* or 1 1/2 teaspoon loose black tea in a teaball
2 3/4 cup self-raising flour
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1 large egg
1/4 cup buttermilk

Instructions

Pour 1 1/4 cup boiling water into a heat proof liquid measuring cup or bowl. To this add 1 cup dried fruit and one tea bag or loose leaf tea in a teaball. Allow it to steep together until it comes to room temperature. Remove the tea bag.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x5 inch loaf tin with nonstick cooking spray and then line the loaf pan with parchment paper. This will allow you to easily remove the bread after it has baked.
In a medium sized mixing bowl combine the flour with the brown sugar, egg, buttermilk and the fruit and tea mixture. Mix it until all of the dry ingredients are well mixed in.
Spread the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Bake in the preheated oven on the center rack at 350° for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes or until a toothpick and inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Picking dried fruit blends

Dried fruits that work well include: raisins, currants, sultanas, cherries, blueberries, cranberries, dates, figs, apricots, apples.

Tea suggestions for this bread recipe: English breakfast tea, Earl Grey tea, plain black tea.

Dark brown sugar may also be used.

Nutrition