If you’re a fan of British cuisine, you may have heard of Bara Brith. This traditional Welsh tea bread is a delicious treat that’s perfect for enjoying with a cup of tea or coffee. One of the most popular recipes for Bara Brith comes from Mary Berry, a well-known British chef and television personality.
Mary Berry’s Bara Brith recipe is easy to make and requires just a handful of ingredients. You’ll need Assam black tea, mixed dried fruits, warming mixed spices, and a few other pantry staples. The recipe takes about a day to make, but most of that time is spent soaking the dried fruit in the tea to plump it up and infuse it with flavor.
If you’re looking to try your hand at making Bara Brith, Mary Berry’s recipe is a great place to start. With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, you’ll be able to whip up a batch of this delicious tea bread in no time. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, Mary Berry’s Bara Brith recipe is sure to become a new favorite in your repertoire.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Bara Brith is a traditional Welsh tea bread that’s perfect for enjoying with a cup of tea or coffee.
- Mary Berry’s Bara Brith recipe is easy to make and requires just a few simple ingredients.
- With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, Mary Berry’s Bara Brith recipe is a great choice for bakers of all skill levels.
History of Bara Brith
Bara Brith is a traditional Welsh fruit loaf that has been enjoyed for centuries. The name “bara brith” translates to “speckled bread” in English, referring to the dried fruit that is mixed into the dough. The origins of this delicious treat are unclear, but it is believed to have been around since the 18th century.
Mary Berry’s Take on Tradition
Mary Berry, a well-known British chef and television personality, has her own take on the traditional bara brith recipe. Her version includes mixed dried fruits and candied orange rind soaked in brewed Assam tea overnight to allow the fruits to swell and absorb the tea flavor. The next day, the mixture is combined with flour, eggs, and sugar to create a deliciously moist and flavorful loaf.
Here is a breakdown of Mary Berry’s bara brith recipe:
Ingredients:
- Mixed dried fruits
- Candied orange rind
- Brewed Assam tea
- Flour
- Eggs
- Sugar
Instructions:
- Soak the mixed dried fruits and candied orange rind in the brewed Assam tea in a large bowl. Cover and let it sit overnight for the fruits to swell and absorb the tea flavor.
- The following day, preheat the oven to 160°C and lubricate a 900g loaf tin.
- Combine the flour, eggs, and sugar with the fruit mixture and mix well.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and bake for 1½ hours or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the loaf to cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Mary Berry’s bara brith recipe is a delicious twist on the traditional Welsh fruit loaf. With its moist texture and rich flavor, it is sure to be a hit with anyone who tries it.
Ingredients Required
If you are planning to make Mary Berry Bara Brith, you will need to gather both dry and wet ingredients to prepare the cake. Here are the ingredients required for the recipe:
Dry Ingredients
- 375 grams of mixed dried fruits
- 250 grams of brown sugar
- 300 grams of self-raising flour
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon of mixed spice
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger
Wet Ingredients
- 300 milliliters of strong tea
- 2 large eggs
As you can see, the recipe requires a mix of both dry and wet ingredients. The mixed dried fruits include raisins, currants, and candied orange rind. The brown sugar adds sweetness to the cake, while the self-raising flour helps to give it a soft and fluffy texture. The ground cinnamon, mixed spice, and ginger add a warm and spicy flavor to the cake.
The wet ingredients include strong tea and eggs. The strong tea is used to soak the mixed dried fruits overnight, which helps to plump them up and absorb the tea flavor. The eggs are added to the fruit mixture before baking, which helps to bind the ingredients together and give the cake structure.
Overall, the ingredients required for Mary Berry Bara Brith are simple and easy to find at your local grocery store. With these ingredients, you can make a delicious and flavorful Welsh tea bread that is perfect for serving with a cup of tea or coffee.
Preparation Steps
Mixing the Batter
To prepare Mary Berry’s Bara Brith recipe, start by soaking the dried mixed fruit in strong tea. In a large bowl, combine the dried mixed fruit with a generous amount of strong tea. Make sure the fruit is well-covered by the tea. Then, cover the bowl and allow the mixture to soak overnight. This allows the fruit to plump up and the sugar to dissolve.
The following day, preheat the oven to 160°C and grease a 900g loaf tin. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and spices. Add the mixed fruit mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until well combined. Then, add in the beaten eggs and mix well.
Baking the Loaf
Pour the batter into the greased loaf tin and smooth the surface with a spatula. Bake the loaf in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Once the loaf is baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool in the tin for at least 15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. This gradual cooling process helps the cake set and retains its moisture, ensuring a perfect texture.
In conclusion, Mary Berry’s Bara Brith recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make fruit loaf that is perfect for any occasion. With its moist texture and rich flavor, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.
Serving and Storage
Slicing and Serving
Once the Bara Brith is cooled, it’s time to slice and serve. You can slice it into thin or thick slices, depending on your preference. The bread is delicious on its own, but you can also serve it with butter or jam. It’s perfect for breakfast, afternoon tea, or as a dessert.
If you want to impress your guests, you can also serve the Bara Brith with a dollop of whipped cream or custard. You can also sprinkle some powdered sugar on top for a touch of sweetness. The bread is moist and flavorful, and it’s sure to be a hit with everyone.
Storing the Bara Brith
If you have any leftover Bara Brith, you can store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to keep it fresh for longer, you can store it in the fridge for up to a week. You can also freeze the bread for up to three months.
To freeze the Bara Brith, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in a freezer bag. Make sure to label the bag with the date and the contents. When you’re ready to eat it, let it thaw at room temperature for a few hours before slicing and serving.
Remember, the Bara Brith is best served fresh, so try to eat it within a few days of baking. If you’re planning to serve it for a special occasion, you can bake it a day or two in advance and store it in the fridge or freezer until you’re ready to serve it.
Customization Tips
Variations of Dried Fruit
One of the great things about Mary Berry’s Bara Brith recipe is that you can easily customize it to your liking by changing the types of dried fruit you use. While the recipe calls for mixed dried fruits, feel free to experiment with different combinations. You could try using just raisins, sultanas, or currants. Or you could mix things up and add chopped dates, figs, or apricots. Get creative and use whatever dried fruits you like best.
Alternative Sweeteners
If you’re looking for a way to make Mary Berry’s Bara Brith recipe a bit healthier, you can try using alternative sweeteners instead of brown sugar. Some good options include honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar. Keep in mind that these sweeteners will have a slightly different flavor than brown sugar, so your Bara Brith may taste a bit different. You can also experiment with using less sugar overall to make the recipe even healthier.
Here’s a table summarizing some of the customization tips for Mary Berry’s Bara Brith recipe:
| Customization Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Variations of Dried Fruit | Experiment with different combinations of dried fruit. |
| Alternative Sweeteners | Use honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar instead of brown sugar. |
Remember, these are just suggestions for customizing Mary Berry’s Bara Brith recipe. Feel free to get creative and come up with your own variations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ingredients are needed for Mary Berry’s Bara Brith?
To make Mary Berry’s Bara Brith, you will need the following ingredients:
- Dried mixed fruit
- Strong tea
- Brown sugar
- Self-raising flour
- Egg
How do you incorporate marmalade into Mary Berry’s Bara Brith recipe?
Mary Berry’s Bara Brith recipe does not include marmalade. However, if you would like to add marmalade to your Bara Brith, you can spread a layer of marmalade on top of the cake after it has been baked and cooled.
Can Mary Berry’s Bara Brith recipe be adapted to be gluten-free?
Yes, Mary Berry’s Bara Brith recipe can be adapted to be gluten-free. You can replace the self-raising flour with a gluten-free flour blend and add 2 teaspoons of baking powder to the mixture.
Is there a difference between Mary Berry’s Bara Brith and traditional Welsh Bara Brith?
Mary Berry’s Bara Brith recipe follows the traditional Welsh recipe for Bara Brith, with the addition of self-raising flour and an egg. The result is a slightly lighter and more cake-like texture compared to the traditional Welsh Bara Brith.
What are the steps to making Mary Berry’s easy fruit cake?
Unfortunately, this question is not related to Mary Berry’s Bara Brith recipe. However, if you are interested in making Mary Berry’s easy fruit cake, you can find the recipe on her website or in one of her cookbooks.
How does Mary Berry’s Cut and Come Again cake differ from her Bara Brith?
Mary Berry’s Cut and Come Again cake is a completely different recipe from her Bara Brith. The Cut and Come Again cake is a sponge cake that is cut into squares and served with a sweet glaze, while Bara Brith is a fruit bread that is traditionally served with butter.