Mmmmmalt loaf

Hullo there, chef extraordinaire Podglet here with you again to share another weekend bake with you, well, not share as in invite you to eat a slice of my offering, just sharing how to so you can make your own.

As usual I tuned into the BBC (bears baking channel) to find a recipe for one of my cubhood favourites, malt loaf.


Ingredients

sunflower oil, for greasing
150ml hot black tea
175g malt extract, plus extra for glazing (see tip)
85g dark muscovado sugar
300g mixed dried fruits
2 large eggs, beaten
250g plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp bicarbonate of soda




Although the recipe calls for 150mls hot tea, it makes 2 loaves, and I only want one. You'd think that meant 75 mls wouldn't you? Well no, as I found this was not enough, and made for a rather dry mixture, so I used 100 mls.


Oh, and I had a nice cup of tea to keep myself hydrated whilst I baked.


I added the hot tea to a bowl, and mixed in the sugar and dried fruit.


Next, in a violent and unnecessary act of wanton violence, I beat a poor defenceless egg! I mixed this into the malty goodness.


I stopped for a sip of tea


Then stirred in the flour, the baking powder and bicarbonate of soda. I poured the mix into a prepared loaf tin, and baked in the oven at 150c. The recipe said to bake the loaf for 50 minutes but mine was ready in just over 40' maybe because we have a fan assisted oven.


Now for the washing up, oh Cedric


There's a good bear.


Remove the loaf from the oven and resist the impulse to dive in to its malty goodess!


The loaf is ready if a skewer inserted into it comes out clean.


I guess this is ready then!


Mmm, malt slice and a cup of tea, anyone?


With love from the bears