SPICED TEACAKES
SPICED TEACAKES
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.