Go Back Email Link
Mary Berry Fruit Loaf Recipe

Mary Berry Fruit Loaf Recipe

Mary Berry's fruit loaf is moist, packed with dried fruit, and sliced and buttered — the most traditional British tea-time bake.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Rising Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 12 Slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: British
Calories: 285
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Fruit Soak 2 hours minimum — overnight is better:
  • 300 g mixed dried fruit
  • 50 g glacé cherries halved and rinsed
  • 200 ml strong hot black tea
  • 50 g soft light brown sugar
  • Dough:
  • 500 g strong white bread flour
  • 7 g fast-action dried yeast
  • 1 tsp fine salt
  • 50 g soft light brown sugar
  • 1 tsp mixed spice
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 75 g unsalted butter softened
  • 200 ml warm whole milk
  • 1 large egg beaten
  • Soaked fruit and all its liquid
  • Glaze:
  • 2 tbsp golden syrup warmed

Method
 

  1. Soak dried fruit in hot tea with sugar — minimum 2 hours, overnight is better.
  2. Combine flour, yeast, salt, sugar, and spices. Add butter, warm milk, and egg. Mix to a shaggy dough. Knead 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  3. Flatten dough. Add soaked fruit and all liquid. Knead gently 2–3 minutes until fruit is evenly distributed.
  4. Place in oiled bowl. Cover. Rise in a warm place 1–1.5 hours until doubled.
  5. Punch down. Shape into an oblong. Place in greased 2lb loaf tin, seam-side down. Cover loosely. Rise 45 minutes to 1 hour until above the tin rim.
  6. Preheat oven to 190°C / 170°C fan / Gas 5. Bake 30–35 minutes until deep golden and hollow when tapped. Brush immediately with warmed golden syrup.
  7. Cool in tin 10 minutes. Turn out. Cool completely before slicing.

Notes

Soak fruit overnight — the longer the better.
Use all the soaking liquid in the dough — it carries enormous flavour.
Do not add too much extra flour when incorporating the fruit.
Glaze with warmed golden syrup immediately out of the oven — it gives a beautiful shine.
Cool completely before slicing — warm fruit bread tears.
Stores in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Freezes for up to 3 months.
QR Code linking back to recipe