Allow me to introduce you to one of my favorite quick breads: Bara Brith.
Bara Brith is a traditional Welsh bread loaded with dried fruit that has been soaked in tea. The name literally translates to “speckled bread,” because every slice is polka-dotted with the dried fruit.
Much like chocolate chip cookies here in the U.S., recipes for bara brith vary tremendously, but the constants are always tea-soaked dried fruit and a mixture of spices. I’ve been meaning to begin making and freezing some quick breads for the school year (so handy for quick snacks, lunches and breakfasts), so I decided to add my own bara brith spin to the bounty of existing recipes.
Almond flour quickly became the natural choice for experimentation, largely because (a) I have several bags in the freezer; (b) I am trying to become better at using what I already have, (c) I love the texture of almond flour baked goods, (d) almonds are such a great combination of protein, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals and great flavor to boot.
I used a combination of dried fruit from the pantry: more or less equal amounts of raisins, dates, apricots and cranberries. Use whatever combination you like, but aim for a combination of at least two fruits.
Some bara brith breads are LOADED with spices, some have a mere hint. I am partial to the middle ground. You can use a pre-made spice blend such as pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice, but I created my own blend using cinnamon, ginger, cardamom (my obsession), and nutmeg.
Orange zest is optional, but I like it. I found that chopping it up or using grated zest overpowered; as an alternative, my version calls for soaking the zest with the tea and fruit; the boiling water releases the oils and infuses the fruit with a subtle orange essence.
I kept the bread subtly sweet; it’s a bread after all, not a cake. Honey is a traditional Welsh sweetener, so I carried on the tradition here.
Mixing up almond flour quick bread batters is a snap. Whisk the dry, add and mix in the wet ingredients and you’re done. No need to worry about over-mixing since there’s no gluten to develop.
I am thrilled to pieces with the results of this bread! It is moist, fragrant and even a small slice is imminently satisfying.
It keeps well in the refrigerator and freezes beautifully, too. I can attest that a cup of tea is the perfect accompaniment and makes for a tremendous power snack or light meal any time of the day.
In a large bowl combine boiling water, tea bags and orange zest. Let brew for 5 minutes.Remove tea bags and zest. Add the dried fruit and let sit for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight. Drain, discarding tea.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×5-inch baking pan with parchment, letting paper overhang on sides.Lightly grease or spray (with nonstick cooking spray) the paper.
In a large bowl whisk together almond flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and nutmeg. Add the eggs, honey and melted butter, stirring until well-blended. Stir in the fruit.
Spread batter into prepared pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 55 to 60 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center of the bread comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely in the pan. Use paper overhang to remove bread from pan. Cut into 16 slices.
I love fruit cake, but my wife needs to be gluten free. This cake fits the bill for fruit cake.
I have made it twice and it has fallen. What have I done wrong?
Charlie
Charlie
Monday 11th of January 2021
I love fruit cake and looked for one to buy, but not willing to pay the price for one.
So your recipe meet this need. I like to bake/cook, but being on a Keto diet has made a change in that. So always looking for recipes to bake or cook.
I have baked this twice and love the taste. The first time I just spooned in the Almond flour and the second time I "packed" it down. Both times the bread rose great and collapsed in the middle. It does not slice, but crumbles--still taste GREAT.
The second time I did let it cool completely before taking out of the pan.The tooth pick still showed a little moisture.
Any suggestions?
Christine Kerrigan
Saturday 27th of July 2019
What Have I done? I have made the Almond Bara Brith today and I can see I am now going to be making a few more. It was lovely.
Camilla
Saturday 27th of July 2019
I am so glad you are enjoying it, Christine! I know what you mean--make me a pot of tea and I can nibble my way through multiple slices!
I’m Camilla, food writer, author, runner, and spin instructor. PowerHungry® is where I share my easy, minimalist, plant-based recipes, designed for living a healthy, delicious, empowered life.
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Chickpea Pasta e Fagioli (vegan, high protein, grain-free}
Roasted Carrot White Bean Soup {3-Ingredients, vegan, easy
Charlie
Monday 18th of January 2021
I love fruit cake, but my wife needs to be gluten free. This cake fits the bill for fruit cake.
I have made it twice and it has fallen. What have I done wrong?
Charlie
Charlie
Monday 11th of January 2021
I love fruit cake and looked for one to buy, but not willing to pay the price for one. So your recipe meet this need. I like to bake/cook, but being on a Keto diet has made a change in that. So always looking for recipes to bake or cook. I have baked this twice and love the taste. The first time I just spooned in the Almond flour and the second time I "packed" it down. Both times the bread rose great and collapsed in the middle. It does not slice, but crumbles--still taste GREAT. The second time I did let it cool completely before taking out of the pan.The tooth pick still showed a little moisture.
Any suggestions?
Christine Kerrigan
Saturday 27th of July 2019
What Have I done? I have made the Almond Bara Brith today and I can see I am now going to be making a few more. It was lovely.
Camilla
Saturday 27th of July 2019
I am so glad you are enjoying it, Christine! I know what you mean--make me a pot of tea and I can nibble my way through multiple slices!