I miss Malt Loaf.  Dark brown squishy cake loaves which are best eaten sliced with a slap of butter alongside a cup of strong tea at your Grandmas.

A British delicacy if you will, malt loaf is the best tea/coffee time treat.  I can’t find it here in the Mid West for love nor money!

So I sought out a recipe and found one which involved yeast and kneading and one which was full of dried fruit soaked in hot tea.  I tried the second recipe and it was a hit!  I am so pleased to find a good malt loaf recipe, I am going to get stocked up on raisins and barley malt extract and get baking!

Here is the recipe, taken from the BBC Good Food Magazine online.

Sticky Malt Loaf

Pre heat the oven to 300 degrees F and line a loaf tin (the original recipe recommends making two loaves, but I made one and it was just right for me).  I also read that someone made Malt Loaf muffins which is a great idea.

150ml/2/3 cup hot strong tea

175g/1/2 cup Barley Malt Extract (I found this is in the sugar alternative section in Whole Foods if you are in the States)

85g/1/2 cup dark brown sugar

300g/2 cups raisins

2 eggs

250g/2 cups plain flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Soak the fruit with the malt in the hot tea until it is cool.  Add the sugar and stir well.

Add the eggs and mix well, then add the flour, baking powder and baking soda and stir quickly until all combined.

Bake for 50mins or until the top is firm and a knife comes out clean.  The middle may sink down but this is fine.

Brush the top of the warm loaf with malt extract to glaze (I forgot to do this and it was still yum!).

Improves after a few days, if it lasts that long and it freezes well.

Do you you have any foods which you love but can’t get hold of?  I can get most things here, but I do miss ‘Party Rings’ biscuits and I am sure I can’t make them.

Have a lovely day whatever you are doing!