Fruit Loaf
Ingredients

6 cups Sultanas
6 cups of cold water
400 grams butter
1 ¾ cups of sugar
2 teaspoons Baking soda
3 heaped teaspoons mixed spice
4 large eggs
4 cups plain flour (sifted)
4 tsp baking powder

Method

This recipe will usually make 2 loaves and a good sized cake so find the tins that will suit and line them with baking paper on the bottom and the sides.

In a Large Saucepan place 6 cups of sultanas , 400 grams of butter, 6 cups of cold water, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 1 ¾ cups sugar and 3 heaped teaspoons of mixed spice. Put the pan on the stove bring to the boil stirring until the butter melts and the mix begins to bubble turn down to very low and leave to simmer for about 2 hours. I tend to put it on when I am getting dinner ready and leave it to simmer stirring occasionally until it stops bubbling.

Cool the mix until luke warm or room temperature. You can cool it by putting the saucepan in the sink with cold water for a few minutes. When it is cool add to the mix 4 eggs and beat in with a wooden spoon until well mixed then add 4 cups of sifted flour with 4 teaspoons of baking powder. Fold this in until blended well. Divide into prepared loaf and cake tins put into a preheated oven on 170°C fan oven, 180°C for about 40 to 50 minutes. I check after 40 mins with a skewer if it comes out clean it is ready. It may take longer if it is not fan assisted you may also need to turn the oven down after 40 mins if it looks like it is getting too brown too fast.

Leave in the tin to cool for 30 minutes then lift out and cool on a rack until cold. I usually leave it overnight in a covered airtight tin then slice the cakes wrap them individually and freeze them this is then an easy way to pop a slice into a lunch box but also if it is in the freezer it lasts longer if you leave a whole cake in a tin it will be eaten too fast!!

I hope you enjoy this it is a firm favoutie in our house.