Everytime I make a birthday cake with loads of sugar(Being a novice baker, I have to taste my icing before putting it on the cake), I tend to crave a loaf cake that is not too sweet.
I made this cake to satisfy that craving. It is an interesting combination of aromatic herbs and dry fruits.
Preparation Time : 10 minutes
Baking Time : 25 - 30 minutes
Makes a 2lb loaf
Ingredients
Self Raising flour - 2.5 cups (2 cups of self raising flour is 2 cups maida +2 tsp baking powder + 1 tsp salt + 1/2 tsp baking soda)
Butter - 1/4 cup (or) 1/2 stick / 50gm
Castor Sugar - 1/3 cup
Dried peach/ apricot - a handful, chopped
Fresh mint leaves - 1 tbsp, chopped finely
Grated lemon rind - 1 tbsp
Almonds - a fistful, chopped
Raisins - 1 tbsp
Eggs - 2 beaten
Milk - 8 to 10 tbsp
Procedure
1. Pre-heat oven to 160 C. Grease a loaf tin and dust with flour. Set aside.
2. Place the self raising flour in a bowl, add the butter and rub the butter with the flour using your fingertips
3. Mix the dried peach/ apricot, mint leaves, lemon rind, almonds, raisins with a tbsp of plain flour and toss well. ( you can go ahead and add some tutty fruity, dried orange peel etc.)
4. When the mixture resembles breadcrumbs, add the sugar, dried peach/ apricot, mint leaves, lemon rind, almonds, raisins and mix well.
5. Finally add the beaten eggs and milk and mix to a dropping consistency.
6. Pour into the loaf tin and bake for 25 - 30 minutes or till you can smell the baked bread., test if a toothpick comes out clean.
7. A tasty and soft tea bread is ready. You can choose to ice it with a lemon glaze icing if you chose to.
Notes:
1. The best thing about this recipe, you do not need any fancy equipments, just a bowl and a spoon
2. Can be put together in 10 minutes and done in 45 minutes flat.
3. You will love it with a hot cup of spiced chai. :-)