Recipe Credit By Farzana Kumandan @sprinklesandspicect
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon mixed spice (or a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg & cloves)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) brown sugar
- 4 large eggs (at room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ½ cup (120ml) orange juice
- 2 cups (300g) mixed dried fruits (raisins, sultanas, cherries, currants, chopped dates, etc.)
- ¼ cup (30g) chopped nuts (optional)
- 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
METHOD:
1. Preheat your oven to 160°C
2. Grease and line a loaf pan with baking paper.
3. Soak the dried fruits in orange juice for at least 1 hour — overnight gives deeper flavor
4. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, mixed spice, and salt.
5. In another seperate large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla, honey and orange zest.
6. Fold in the soaked fruits (with any remaining liquid) in the dry ingredients, add nuts if desired and then add in the wet ingredient and mix until just combined.
7. Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smooth the top, and bake for 70–80 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Cool completely in the pan before removing.
Enjoy
