CHOCOLATE ASSAM TEA LOAF

[The Secret Teacup]

One of my favourite recipes is that of the simple fruit tea loaf, there is so much you can do to subtlety change the flavours without spoiling the chewy lovliness which is perfect for that afternoon dip. This particular recipe was inspired by the fabulous chocolate flake tea from teapigs & my one of my favourite ingredients, raw cacao nibs, crunchy chewy little bursts of cacao that are healthy too...

INGREIDENTS

350g dried mixed fruit

300mls strong assam tea (+ I like to use a teapigs chocolate flake tea temple for added depth)

2 tbsp raw cacao nibs

200g muscovado sugar

2 eggs

275g self raising flour

1tsp cinnamon

1 vanilla pod or 1tsp vanilla essence

METHOD

Add the cacao nibs to the dried fruit, add the tea & steep the mixture overnight until the fruit is plump & delicious.



Preheat the oven to 175c/325F/Gas 3

Grease & line x1 2lb or x2 1lb loaf tins with baking parchment

Add all the other ingredients to the steeped fruit & mix well, place into tin(s).



Transfer to oven & cook for 11/4hrs for large tin & 40-50mins for 2 small tins or until a skewer inserted in the cake comes out clean.

Wrap well in paper & store in an airtight tins for a couple of days while the flavours develop or like me scoff as soon as cool with a large cup of tea...Assam of course.