Fat Free Cake

I thought that might get your attention.

As the weather has been pretty miserable over the last few weeks, I thought it might be a good time to share a recipe. And lovely comfort food it is too - Speckled Bread, or Bara Brith, as I believe they call it in Wales.

Technically it's not totally fat-free as the recipe calls for one egg, although my point is that there's no added fat, in the shape of margarine, butter or oil.

You do some prep the night before;

450g/1lb Mixed Dried Fruit
250g/9oz Brown Sugar
300ml/half-pint Strong Black Tea

1. Soak all the above ingredients in a large bowl overnight. This re-hydrates the fruit.

2. The next day, whack the oven on to 160C/320F and line a 2lb loaf tin with baking paper

450g/1lb Self-Raising Flour 
3tsp Mixed Spice
1 Egg

3. Mix all of the above ingredients into the fruit mixture and combine well.

4. Transfer the mixture to the prepared loaf tin and bake. In my oven it takes 1hr 15mins, check with the usual skewer coming out clean, routine.

Don't worry if it feels a bit like a house brick when you remove it from the tin - that's how it is. Slice and enjoy with a cup of tea. After a day or two it's nice with a spread of butter on. I know that defeats the object of a no-added fat cake, but hey, winter's coming and it'll do you no harm. Promise.

If you do try it and enjoy it, head back here and let me know :)