The Mary Berry Bara Brith is a traditional Welsh tea loaf, rich with dried fruits and flavored with warm spices. Bara Brith, which translates to “speckled bread,” is made by soaking dried fruits in tea before being mixed into a spiced bread or cake batter. This delicious loaf is perfect for serving with butter and a hot cup of tea. It’s a comforting and flavorful treat, loved across Wales and beyond.
What is Mary Berry Bara Brith?
Bara Brith is a traditional Welsh fruit loaf, made with tea-soaked dried fruits, warm spices, and either yeast or baking powder as a raising agent. Mary Berry’s version is simple, using self-raising flour and no yeast, resulting in a moist, rich cake-like loaf that’s bursting with flavor. This sweet bread is commonly served sliced and buttered.
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Why You Should Try This Recipe
- Traditional Welsh Recipe: A taste of Wales in every bite, perfect for tea time.
- Rich with Dried Fruit: Soaking the fruits in tea gives them a lovely, moist texture and infuses the bread with flavor.
- Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and no need for yeast make this a beginner-friendly recipe.
- Versatile: Enjoy it on its own, buttered, or even toasted.
- Perfect for Sharing: Ideal for serving at family gatherings, picnics, or with friends over a cup of tea.
Ingredients Needed to Make Mary Berry Bara Brith
- Dried mixed fruit: 300g (10.5 oz), for the sweet, fruity flavor.
- Strong black tea: 300ml (10 fl oz), to soak the fruit and enhance the flavor.
- Self-raising flour: 225g (8 oz), for the structure and rise of the loaf.
- Light brown sugar: 100g (3.5 oz), to sweeten the bread.
- Mixed spice: 1 teaspoon, for warmth and spice.
- Egg: 1 large, lightly beaten, to bind the ingredients.
- Honey or golden syrup: 2 tablespoons, for extra sweetness and a moist texture.
Equipment
- Mixing bowl: For preparing the batter.
- Loaf tin: A 2 lb loaf tin for baking the Bara Brith.
- Saucepan: To prepare the tea for soaking the fruit.
- Spatula: For mixing the ingredients.
- Cooling rack: For cooling the loaf after baking.
Instructions to Prepare Mary Berry Bara Brith
Step 1: Soak the Fruit
- Prepare the Tea: Brew 300ml of strong black tea and let it cool slightly.
- Soak the Fruit: In a mixing bowl, add the dried mixed fruit and pour the tea over it. Stir to combine and let the fruit soak for at least 6 hours, or overnight, to allow the fruit to plump up.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 160°C (140°C fan)/320°F/gas mark 3.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the self-raising flour, brown sugar, and mixed spice. Stir to combine.
Step 3: Combine the Ingredients
- Add Wet Ingredients: Drain any excess tea from the soaked fruit. Add the fruit to the dry mixture, along with the beaten egg and honey or golden syrup. Stir gently until everything is well combined.
Step 4: Bake the Bara Brith
- Prepare the Loaf Tin: Grease and line a 2 lb loaf tin with parchment paper.
- Bake the Loaf: Pour the batter into the prepared tin and smooth the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
- Cool the Loaf: Let the loaf cool in the tin for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Slice and Serve: Slice and serve the Bara Brith with butter or enjoy it on its own.
What Goes Well With Mary Berry Bara Brith
- Butter: Spread a generous amount of butter on each slice for a rich, indulgent treat.
- Tea: Serve with a hot cup of tea for the perfect afternoon snack.
- Cheese: Welsh cheddar or another sharp cheese pairs wonderfully with the sweet, spiced bread.
- Jam or marmalade: For added sweetness, spread a little jam or marmalade on top.
- Honey: Drizzle a bit of honey for an extra touch of sweetness.
Expert Tips for Making the Best Mary Berry Bara Brith
- Soak the fruit overnight: Soaking the fruit overnight ensures it absorbs the tea and becomes plump and flavorful.
- Use strong tea: A robust black tea like English Breakfast or Assam works best to infuse flavor into the dried fruits.
- Don’t overmix: Stir the ingredients gently to avoid overworking the batter, which can make the loaf dense.
- Test for doneness: Insert a skewer into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean, the Bara Brith is ready.
- Let it rest: The flavors develop further as the loaf sits, so it’s often better the day after baking.
Easy Variations of Mary Berry Bara Brith
- Alcohol-soaked fruit: Replace some of the tea with rum, brandy, or whisky for a boozy twist.
- Add nuts: Stir in a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans for added texture.
- Use different dried fruits: Try using raisins, currants, or chopped apricots instead of the mixed dried fruit.
- Glazed Bara Brith: Brush the top of the loaf with honey or apricot jam while still warm for a glossy finish.
Best Practices to Store Mary Berry Bara Brith
- Room temperature: Store Bara Brith in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: The loaf freezes well. Wrap it tightly in cling film and then in foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Best Practices to Reheat Mary Berry Bara Brith
- Toasting: Toast slices of Bara Brith lightly before serving for a warm, crispy edge.
- Microwave: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to soften them slightly.
How Can I Make Mary Berry Bara Brith Healthier?
- Reduce sugar: Cut down on the sugar or use a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup.
- Whole wheat flour: Substitute half of the self-raising flour with whole wheat flour for added fiber.
- Dried fruit with no added sugar: Use unsweetened dried fruits to reduce sugar content.
- Add seeds: Stir in a tablespoon of flaxseeds or chia seeds for a boost of fiber and nutrients.
Nutrition Value (per serving)
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Sugar: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
FAQs
Can I freeze Mary Berry’s Bara Brith?
Yes, Bara Brith can be frozen. Allow the loaf to cool completely, then wrap it tightly in cling film and aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
How long should I soak the fruit for Bara Brith?
For the best results, soak the dried fruit in tea for at least 6 hours, or preferably overnight. This allows the fruit to absorb the tea fully and become plump and flavorful.
Can I make Bara Brith without tea?
Yes, you can substitute the tea with other liquids like orange juice, apple juice, or even a little rum or whisky for a different flavor profile.
How should I store Bara Brith?
Store Bara Brith in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. It tastes even better after a day or two as the flavors continue to develop.
Final Words
The Mary Berry Bara Brith is a traditional and comforting Welsh loaf that is packed with sweet, tea-soaked fruit and warm spices. Perfect for serving with butter and tea, this easy-to-make recipe brings the taste of Wales to your kitchen.
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Mary Berry Bara Brith Recipe
- Prep Time: 15
- Overnight Soaking Time: 360
- Cook Time: 60
- Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 8
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Welsh
- Cuisine: Welsh
Description
Bara Brith is a traditional Welsh fruit loaf, made with tea-soaked dried fruits, warm spices, and either yeast or baking powder as a raising agent. Mary Berry’s version is simple, using self-raising flour and no yeast, resulting in a moist, rich cake-like loaf that’s bursting with flavor. This sweet bread is commonly served sliced and buttered.
Ingredients
- Dried mixed fruit: 300g (10.5 oz), for the sweet, fruity flavor.
- Strong black tea: 300ml (10 fl oz), to soak the fruit and enhance the flavor.
- Self-raising flour: 225g (8 oz), for the structure and rise of the loaf.
- Light brown sugar: 100g (3.5 oz), to sweeten the bread.
- Mixed spice: 1 teaspoon, for warmth and spice.
- Egg: 1 large, lightly beaten, to bind the ingredients.
- Honey or golden syrup: 2 tablespoons, for extra sweetness and a moist texture.
Instructions
1. Soak the Fruit
- Prepare the Tea: Brew 300ml of strong black tea and let it cool slightly.
- Soak the Fruit: In a mixing bowl, add the dried mixed fruit and pour the tea over it. Stir to combine and let the fruit soak for at least 6 hours, or overnight, to allow the fruit to plump up.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 160°C (140°C fan)/320°F/gas mark 3.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the self-raising flour, brown sugar, and mixed spice. Stir to combine.
3. Combine the Ingredients
- Add Wet Ingredients: Drain any excess tea from the soaked fruit. Add the fruit to the dry mixture, along with the beaten egg and honey or golden syrup. Stir gently until everything is well combined.
4. Bake the Bara Brith
- Prepare the Loaf Tin: Grease and line a 2 lb loaf tin with parchment paper.
- Bake the Loaf: Pour the batter into the prepared tin and smooth the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
5. Cool and Serve
- Cool the Loaf: Let the loaf cool in the tin for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Slice and Serve: Slice and serve the Bara Brith with butter or enjoy it on its own.
