500g/1 lb leftover bread - any sort
500g/1lb mixed dried fruit - can include chopped prunes and dried apricots
2 heaped Tbsp mixed peel
1 pt milk
1 large egg
4 oz sugar (soft brown is nicest)
Zest of 1 lemon
4 oz butter or marge
1 1/2 tsp mixed spice
2 Tbsp demerara sugar
- Tear the bread into a large mixing bowl and add the milk. Scrunch up with your hands until well mashed.
- Add all the dry ingredients and the egg. (You can use a mixing spoon at this stage or carry on with your hands if you enjoy it, I did as a child). Melt the butter/marge and mix in.
- Spread the mixture in a 20 cm/ 8 " square tin lined with baking parchment. Level it off and scatter with the demerara sugar.
- Bake at gas mk 4/180ºC for about 1 1\2 hours. Cut in squares and serve warm with custard or wrap up cold for packed lunches
This is a dense, damp cake which doesn't rise much but is very sustaining.
Mary Venning