Easy Scottish Fruit Loaf Recipe - A Happy Home In Holland (2024)

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This traditional Scottish Fruit Loaf Recipe (aka Tea Bread) has got to be one of the easiest ever. It is a cross between bread and cake with a little bit denser texture and rather delicious when spread with butter and served with a nice cup of tea!

Easy Scottish Fruit Loaf Recipe - A Happy Home In Holland (1)
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I love this Fruit Loaf Recipe that I got from my mum (yes, another one from my mum). And one of the reasons I love it is the fact that it is sooooo easy. You can literally throw the ingredients together in a pan, melt the butter, mix it, and pop it in the oven.

Traditional Scottish Fruit Loaf Recipe

This is actually a very traditional Scottish recipe that my mum (who is not Scottish but does live in Scotland) had begged from one of the SWRI ladies (Scottish Women’s Rural Institute) quite a while ago. And believe me, these ladies certainly know how to bake!

It really does make the yummiest fruit bread which your family and friends will love you for.

You can go ahead and use either UK or US cup sizes for this recipe as it will not affect the end results.

(I have also now added cups and grams to the printable recipe card + an explanation about the differences between the UK Vs US Cup sizes)

Easy Scottish Fruit Loaf Recipe - A Happy Home In Holland (2)

Scottish Fruit Loaf

Course: Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine: Scottish

Keyword: Baking, Fruit Bread, Fruit Loaf

Servings: 12 Slices

Calories: 225kcal

Author: Sam Franklin

This delicious Fruit Loaf (or Fruit Bread) recipe is so easy to make that it will quickly become a favourite go-to recipe.

Print Recipe

Equipment

  • 2lb Loaf Tin

  • Saucepan

  • Large Mixing Bowl

  • Wooden Spoon

  • Greaseproof Paper

  • Measuring Cup

  • Teaspoon

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Raisins (200g)
  • 1 cup Sultanas (200g)
  • 1 cup Sugar (200g)
  • 1 cup Water (250ml)
  • 1 tsp (heaped) Mixed Spices
  • 1 tsp (heaped) Ground Ginger
  • 1 tsp (level) Baking Soda
  • 4 oz Margarine (115 grams)
  • 1 cup Self Raising Flour (120g)
  • 1 cup Plain Flour (120g)
  • 2 small eggs (or 1 large)

Instructions

  • Add dried fruit, sugar, water, spices, margarine and baking soda into a saucepan

  • Gently heat until the margarine melts and the sugar has dissolved (do not allow to boil)

  • Allow mixture in the saucepan to cool for at least 15 minutes

  • Grease and line the 2lb loaf tin with greaseproof paper

  • Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F)

  • Put the self-raising and plain flour into a large bowl then add the beaten egg and cooled mixture from the saucepan

    Easy Scottish Fruit Loaf Recipe - A Happy Home In Holland (3)

  • Gently mix the ingredients until you get a smooth mixture with no lumps of flour

  • Pour the mixture into the loaf tin and place in the center of the preheated oven

    Easy Scottish Fruit Loaf Recipe - A Happy Home In Holland (4)

  • Bake until the top has nicely browned (approx 1hr 15 to 1hr 30 minutes). If you have a fan oven you may want to turn it down a little or take it out the oven a little earlier (you can use a skewer to check when it is done – when the skewer comes out clean then the fruit loaf is ready)

  • Take out of the oven, allow to cool a little then turn out on a cooling rack

  • Slice the fruit loaf, spread with generous amounts of butter and enjoy with a cup of tea!

Notes

I have checked my cup sizes and they are the same as the UK (also Australian and Canadian) cup sizes which are very slightly bigger than US cup sizes (UK cups = 250ml Vs US Cups = 240ml)

You can go ahead and use whichever cup size you have but it is so minimal that it should not affect the end results. Also as long as you are using the same cups for measuring out the ingredients the proportions will work out the same.

If you do want to adjust the recipe and be more precise then you can always take 2 teaspoons out of the US cups.

If you would like to know more about this there is a very handy explanation and conversion charts over on the delicious magazine site: Cups To Grams Conversion Charts

Nutrition

Calories: 225kcal

Fruit Loaf Variation Idea

Another little variation for this recipe is to replace the water with tea which gives a slightly different flavour. I like sometimes like to add earl grey tea which gives a lovely fragrant citrus twist to the fruit bread.

How Long Can You Keep Fruit Loaf?

Fruit loaf keeps really well and you can keep it in an airtight container for a few weeks (I normally wrap mine in greaseproof paper before placing it in the container). In fact, when my mum gave me the recipe she told me to wait a few days as the taste and texture actually improves. We, however, can hardly wait for the fruit loaf to cool before helping ourselves to large chunks – yum!. 🙂

How To Freeze The Fruit Bread

This fruit bread freezes well and I very often make 2 at a time and throw one in the freezer for a later date.I like to freeze mine already sliced so that I can grab a few slices at a time.

To freeze it I normally take the fruit bread out of the Loaf Tin and allow the loaf to cool on a rack, slice it, then wrap the individual slices tightly in Cling Filmand then seal in a freezer bag or plastic container.

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What I really love about this Scottish Fruit Loaf Recipe is that it is very cheap to make and I always have the ingredients sitting in the cupboard.

I often enjoy a slice at breakfast time or give it to the kids as a snack when they come home from school.

Serve It During A High Tea

The fact that this recipe is so yummy and it can be made ahead it’s also rather nice to serve it together with other cakes and sandwiches during a High Tea(my Dutch Apple Pie, Cinnamon Rolls, & British Flapjacks recipes are also nice for this).

If you do go ahead and make this recipe I’d love to know how you get on because I’m sure it will become a firm family favourite.

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Easy Scottish Fruit Loaf Recipe - A Happy Home In Holland (2024)

FAQs

How to make Mary Berry's fruit cake? ›

Put the flour, grated nutmeg, mixed spice, butter, sugar, eggs, chopped almonds, black treacle and the citrus zest into a large bowl and beat well to mix thoroughly. Fold in the soaked fruits. Spoon the mixture into the prepared cake tin and spread out evenly with the back of a spoon.

Is fruit loaf healthy? ›

Just two delicious slices of our Fruit Loaf with Orange provides one of your recommended daily five portions of fruit and veg, when eaten as part of a healthy balanced diet and lifestyle. Packed with juicy sultanas and orange flavoured pieces, it's also low in fat, a source of fibre and contains no added sugar.

Does fruit loaf freeze well? ›

This is also one of the BEST cakes for freezing. You can freeze an entire loaf, wrapped well in baking paper and foil. Thaw the loaf overnight in the fridge before slicing and serving. You can also freeze a sliced fruit loaf and simply pop a slice in the toaster, no need to defrost, whenever you fancy a little treat!

Who makes fruit loaf? ›

Fruit Loaves | Fruit Bread | Warburtons.

Why is my homemade fruit cake dry? ›

Usually the bottom and/or edges tend to get hard if a cake is overbaked. You can also try using simple syrup to soak the cake layers or top of the cake to make it little soft. warming the fruitcake or slices can make them softer and soaking in some brandy or rum will help.

Do you have to soak fruit for a fruit cake? ›

The key step that makes this so much faster to make than other fruit cakes is the fruit soaking step. Most recipes call for dried fruit to be soaked overnight. I take a speedy approach: just microwave the dried fruit with juice and/or brandy, then stand for 1 hour to soak up the liquid.

Does fruitcake have a lot of sugar? ›

How much sugar is in a classic fruitcake? One serving of a classic, homemade fruitcake has about 79 grams of carbohydrates and 4 grams of fiber; that's about 75 grams of sugar, or 15 teaspoons of sugar, in just one serving.

Is fruit bread good for diabetes? ›

Other types of breads to avoid are those that list sweeteners — such as sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, dextrose, or molasses — among the first ingredients. Lastly, avoid breads that contain raisins or other dried fruit, as these are higher in carbohydrates.

Why do fruitcakes last so long? ›

What typically makes fruitcake last so long is its super dense texture. This texture prevents, let's say, less than appetizing things from setting up camp in the cake's crevices. Additionally, a lot of the ingredients in our fruitcakes are dried or glaceéd, so they don't contain much moisture.

Can fruit cake last 100 years? ›

From recipe to scientific experiment!

The chemical composition of the cake makes it possible to keep it for a 100 years. Indeed, its density prevents bacteria and mold to proliferate and its alcohol content makes it more sanitized, which also has an impact on its conservation.

How long does fruitcake last in the fridge? ›

For best quality, a fruit cake that is tightly wrapped with aluminum foil or saran warp can be stored for up to 1 month in a cool, dark pantry, 6 months in the refrigerator, and 12 months in a freezer. Check often for signs of spoilage, and if mold or off-odors develop, discard the cake.

Where is Grandma's Fruitcake made? ›

Louis, Missouri by two German immigrant brothers. What's the secret to the famous fruitcake recipe? The secret to Grandma's fruitcake is that it is hand-made by our wonderful bakers all year round and then it is mellowed to perfection before being sold to customers to enjoy!

What is another name for a fruit loaf? ›

This traditional Scottish Fruit Loaf Recipe (aka Tea Bread) has got to be one of the easiest ever. It is a cross between bread and cake with a little bit denser texture and rather delicious when spread with butter and served with a nice cup of tea!

What is a Millers loaf? ›

Enriched, dark, medium size sourdough loaf from wheat flour, rye flour and malt, with a thin crispy crust and a light airy crumb, decorated with sunflower seeds, wheat brans, sesame seeds, linseed and oat grits.

How do you make the perfect Mary Berry sponge cake? ›

Method
  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/350°F/Gas 4. ...
  2. Break the eggs into a large mixing bowl, then add the sugar, flour, baking powder and soft butter.
  3. Mix everything together until well combined. ...
  4. Divide the mixture evenly between the tins. ...
  5. Place the tins on the middle shelf of the oven and bake for 25 minutes.

How to make a lemon drizzle cake Mary Berry? ›

Lemon drizzle cake with lemon curd and double cream
  1. 350g/12oz butter, softened, plus extra for greasing.
  2. 350g/12oz caster sugar.
  3. 4 lemons, zest only, plus juice of 2 lemons.
  4. 3 large pieces candied lemon peel , finely chopped.
  5. 6 free-range eggs.
  6. 3 tsp baking powder.
  7. 300g/10½oz self-raising flour.
  8. 50g/2oz cornflour.

How do you keep fruit cake moist when baking? ›

It's really important to soak your fruit mix so that they soften and plump up. This way, they'll stay moist and juicy and won't absorb moisture from the cake batter during baking, ensuring that your cake stays moist.

What do you put between fruit cake layers? ›

Dense, moist, fruit-studded cakes are sandwiched between layers of light, fluffy, delicately sweetened frosting for a combination that's as impressive to view as it is to eat.

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