This recipe is really, really easy. Even I can make it reliably and I don't generally do cakes.
Bara brith/Fruit Loaf
12 ozs mixed dried fruit
4 ozs soft brown sugar
¼ pint cold tea
8 ozs self-raising flour
1 egg
Pinch of salt
Put the fruit and sugar to soak in the cold tea and leave it for 24 hours (overnight will do). Then tip the soaked fruit mixture into a larger mixing bowl and add the egg (lightly beaten) and a pinch of salt. With a large wooden spoon, fold in the flour and stir everything together until it's evenly mixed. Scoop the mixture into a lightly greased loaf tin (small loaf sized) and bake for approximately 1½ hours at Gas mark 4/180°C (350°F). I seem to remember this cooking time and temperature was correct for my old gas stove; however, in my electric fan oven, I found that it needed less time and a cooler setting. 160°C (say Gas mark 3) and about 1¼ was perfect.
To test whether the bara brith is done, remove it from the oven and poke it carefully with a metal skewer or thin knife. If the skewer comes out clean, the cake is done; if mixture sticks to it, then give it another 10-15 mins and test again.
