SPICED TEACAKES
Ingredients
- 375g/13oz strong white bread flour
- ½ tsp sea salt flakes
- lightly crushed
- 7g/¼oz sachet fast-action dried yeast
- 1 tsp ground mixed spice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
- ½ orange
- zest only
- 50g/1¾oz caster sugar
- 50g/1¾oz butter
- cubed
- 150ml/5fl oz semi-skimmed milk
- 1 free-range egg
- beaten
- 125g/4½oz mixed dried fruit
- 2 tsp sunflower oil
- for greasing
- butter
- for serving
Directions
- Mix the flour
- salt
- yeast
- spices
- orange zest and sugar in a large bowl.
- Put the butter and milk in a small saucepan and heat very gently until the butter is melted and the milk is just lukewarm. Remove from the heat and whisk in the egg.
- Make a well in the centre of the flour mixture and pour in the warm butter
- milk and egg. Stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a ball.
- Turn out on a very lightly floured surface and knead for five minutes to form a smooth
- pliable dough. Knead the fruit into the dough until evenly distributed
- then place the dough in a lightly greased bowl
- cover loosely with oiled clingfilm and leave to rise in a warm place for 1½ hours
- or until doubled in size and spongy to touch.
- Knead the dough lightly
- divide into six portions and roll into balls. Using a rolling pin
- flatten each ball to a circle about 1cm/½in thick and place on a large baking tray lined with baking parchment. Cover with oiled clingfilm and leave to rise for a further 45 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/Gas 5. Remove the clingfilm and bake the teacakes in the centre of the oven for 15-18 minutes
- or until well risen and golden-brown. Serve warm or leave to cool on a wire rack
- then toast and serve spread thickly with butter. Eat within 24 hours to enjoy them at their best.

