Frugal tea loaf recipe

"What's frugal about a tea loaf?" you might ask. Well, you know those bits of crumbly cereal you're left with at the bottom of the cereal packet? You know the ones I mean...the crumbs/dust that you end up throwing away or giving to the birds because if you have it in your cereal it turns to mush? Yep, that's exactly the stuff that makes this recipe special. I just enjoy making it because it's always satisfying using up a seemingly 'worthless' item...upcycled cereal! (kind of) :)

Also, it is egg and dairy free...and fat free! I can't remember where I got it from - I think a friend gave it to me as a money saving tip when I went to Uni.

Anyway! Here's the recipe....

Pre heat oven to gas mark 4

INGREDIENTS


1. 1 mug full of the above mentioned cereal crumbs/dust ('brown' cereal works best - bran flakes or wheat biscuits are good but other bran based ones are good too)

2. 1 mug full of sultanas (or any dried fruit really - I just prefer sultanas)

3. 1 mug full of strong black tea (though it would totally work with other teas, I expect!)

4. between half to 1 mug of sugar (I used half a mug, but this really depends on how sweet you want it), plus about 1 tablespoon extra to sprinkle on top.

5. 1 mug full of self raising flour

PUT INGREDIENTS 1 to 4 INTO A BOWL AND COVER. SOAK FOR ABOUT HALF AN HOUR.

Stir in the self raising flour.

It will look like it's not going to mix in but it will. It will be a very stiff mixture.

As you stir in the flour, it is nice to add some flavouring too. I like cinnamon but I expect orange zest might be nice too!

Spoon the mixture into a lined, greased loaf tin and sprinkle with the tablespoon or so of sugar.

Bake in the middle of the oven for about 1 hour and 20 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean.

Take out of tin and leave to cool (take off the baking paper while loaf is hot, or it will stick).

I like to have this spread with butter and with a cup of tea. It is not a light loaf and more 'bready' than 'cakey', if you see what I mean.


I hope that this recipe is clear! It really is very easy and I hope you like it :)