The Best Homemade Yorkshire Tea Loaf Recipe
Yorkshire tea loaf topped with a good dollop of butter, what better way to have it? This tea loaf is made with Yorkshire Tea, making it lovely and moist. You donโt have to use Yorkshire tea; you can use any type of tea, such as Earl Grey tea, for a distinct flavour.
This easy tea loaf recipe is fat-free! So don’t be shy about spreading some butter on top. We Yorkshire folk love a slice of cheese with our fruit loaves and cakes. Try a bit of Wensleydale cheese to go with it. It’s so good!
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How to Immerse Your Fruit
Prepare a flavoursome and moist fruit tea loaf by immersing your chosen dried fruits. Yorkshire tea bags or a black tea blend provide a strong tea base; employ three to four depending on the robustness desired.
Ensure the soaked fruits achieve room temperature before baking to maintain an even texture. For a rich fruit cake, retaining the soaking liquid adds extra moistness. Remember, the drying period post-baking is crucial; rest your loaf on a wire rack to cool. Store in an airtight container to enjoy the next day, possibly accompanied by a slab of Wensleydale cheese for a true Yorkshire day treat.
Ingredients of the Tea Loaf
- Sugar: 225g Light Muscovado
- Flour: 275g Self-raising
- Eggs: 1, beaten
- Butter: For greasing
- Dried Fruit: 175g Currants, 175g Sultanas
- Liquid: 300ml Strong Black Tea, hot
- Spice: A pinch of Mixed
- Extra: Salt, to taste
How to Craft a Traditional Yorkshire Tea Loaf
Measure fruit and sugar, add your hot tea, cover and leave overnight for best results (if you’re not patient like me, do it for 1 hour).
Preheat oven to 150 โ Fan Oven or 170โ.
Grease and baseline a 2 lb tin or 2 x 1 lb tins.
Stir the flour and egg into the fruit mixture, mix thoroughly, then turn into the prepared tin/s and level the surface.
Bake in the oven for 1 ยฝ – 1 and ยพ hours for a 2 lb tin or about an hour for the 1lb tin.
Leave to cool, then slice and top with butter.
Serve in thick slices, preferably with a generous spread of butter, and enjoy with a traditional English cuppa for a truly authentic Yorkshire experience. To prolong the delight, store the remaining slices in an airtight container, often even more delightful the following day.
Simple Guide to Preparing a Traditional Yorkshire Tea Cake
Necessary Utensils and Apparatus
- Large bowls
- Loaf tins (2 lb size or 2 x 1 lb)
- Greasing material (butter/parchment)
- Sieve
- Spoon (preferably wooden)
- Oven (pre-heated to gas mark 2/150ยฐC fan)
- Wire cooling rack
Required Components
- Dried Fruits
- Currants: 175 g
- Sultanas: 175 g
- Sugars and Flours
- Light brown sugar: 225 g
- Wheat flour (self-raising): 275 g
- Liquids
- Strong black tea blend: 300 ml (boiling water with tea bags)
- Additions
- Free-range egg: 1 (beaten)
- Condiments
- Pinch of salt (optional)
Frequently Asked Questions
What Components Constitute a Traditional English Tea Loaf?
For a proper English tea loaf, key ingredients include a selection of the choicest fruits such as raisins, sultanas, and currants. Additionally, brown sugar, a strong black tea blend, typically used by tea aficionados like the Yorkshire tea merchant Charles Taylor, and wheat flour are essential. The mixture also requires a raising agent and can be enriched with orange zest for added flavor.
Preparing a Swift Tea Loaf Reminiscent of Yorkshire’s Signature Bake
To make a Yorkshire-style tea loaf quickly, you’ll need pantry ingredients such as dried fruit, which should be steeped in hot water with a few tea bags, preferably a strong tea like those offered by Taylors of Harrogate. After soaking, blend with brown sugar, free range eggs, and wheat flour in a large mixing bowl to ensure a moist tea loaf. Bake until golden brown in a pre-heated oven; this simplified method rescues a busy day with a hint of the traditional Yorkshire taste.
Acquisition of Ready-Made Yorkshire Tea Loaf
Indeed, ready-made Yorkshire tea loaves can be found for purchase, offered by bakeries or retailers that specialise in dairy products and pantry staples. Some stock a variety of tea loaves infused with traditional flavours like orange juice and lapsang souchong, capturing that authentic Yorkshire experience. These are often found in areas that cherish the regional heritage, especially around Yorkshire Day.
Availability of Yorkshire Tea Loaf in Shops
The famous Yorkshire tea loaf has not been discontinued and remains available in various shops. Many family tea and coffee merchants, such as Taylors of Harrogate, continue to celebrate their heritage by offering this beloved treat, which tells a story of wartime days and afternoon tea menus. Its availability, however, may vary, and for those seeking to purchase it, local bakeries or British-themed retail outlets are good places to start.
Is It Possible to Preserve a Fruit Tea Loaf by Freezing?
Absolutely, freezing a moist fruit tea loaf is feasible and can be quite effective. To retain its moisture and quality, it is advised to enwrap the loaf or individual thick slices in cling film, followed by sealing them in a freezer bag. When the time comes to relish the tea loaf, allow it to thaw at room temperature to maintain its texture and flavour. This method is a great way to enjoy a slice with a nice cup of tea whenever desired, preserving the richness of dried fruits and the comforting taste of the loaf.
If you like fruity treats, you’ll love my Currant Square recipe or my Rich and Moist Whisky Cake
You could even add a bit of booze when soaking your fruit overnight just reduce the amount of tea added.
If you like this recipe you’ll love my Yorkshire Toasted Teacake and Malt Loaf recipe!
Easy Yorkshire Tea Loaf Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 175 g Currants
- 175 g Sultanas
- 225 g Light Muscovado Sugar
- 300 ml Strong hot tea
- 275 g Self Raising Flour
- 1 Egg beaten
Instructions
- Measure fruit and sugar, add your hot tea, cover and leave overnight for best results (if you're not patient like me, do it for 1 hour).
- Pre-heat oven at 150 โ Fan Oven/170โ.
- Grease and baseline a 2 lb tin or 2 x 1 lb tins.
- Stir the flour and egg into the fruit mixture, mix thoroughly, then turn into the prepared tin/s and level the surface.
- Bake in the oven for 1 ยฝ – 1 and ยพ hours for a 2 lb tin or about an hour for the 1lb tins.
- Leave to cool then slice and top with butter.
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