Ingredients

250g mixed dried fruit

1 mug freshly made black tea

125g caster sugar

1 large egg, beaten

2 tbsp orange marmalade (optional)

250g self-raising flour

1 tsp mixed spice

½ tsp of freshly grated nutmeg

Method

1. Place the fruit and sugar in a large bowl and pour over the tea.

2. Stir well, cover with a clean tea towel or dinner plate, and leave overnight for the fruit to plump up.

3. Heat the oven to 180C/Gas 4.

4. Add the egg to the soaked fruit and beat in along with the marmalade if using.

5. Add the sifted flour, mixed spice and nutmeg, and stir until all the ingredients are well blended.

6. Spoon into a greased loaf tin and bake for between 60-70 mins until firm to the touch and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.

7. Remove the loaf from the tin and allow it to cool completely before serving.