My Mum’s Bran Loaf

My Mum’s Bran Loaf

This is a treasured recipe in my family. Use whatever dried fruit or nuts you like –  it’s healthy, contains no fat or eggs yet is high in fibre.  Cook it in my silicon bakeware range and there’s no need to grease it first!

Serves: 10 – 12
Preparation: 10 minutes plus 10 mins soaking
Cooking: 45 – 50 mins

Ingredients

1 cup (60g) bran cereal e.g. All Bran
1 cup (250mls) low-fat milk
1 cup (150g) self-raising flour
1/2 cup (110g) brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1 level teaspoon bicarbonate soda
1 cup (140g) chopped, pitted dates/walnuts/sultanas/raisins/mixed fruit
1/2 cup (180g) treacle or golden syrup
caramelised walnuts, to serve (optional)

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced).
2. Soak bran in milk in a large bowl for 10 – 15 minutes. (Alternatively warm briefly in the microwave to speed this up.) Add the remaining ingredients and mix well with a wooden spoon.
3. Pour into 22.5 x 9.5 (1.3 litre) silicon loaf pan and bake in the lower half of the oven for 35 –  40 minutes or until brown on top. Test with a skewer. (If the top browns too much before this, cover with foil).
4. Cool, then top with caramelised walnuts, slice and butter if desired. Store in an airtight container, at room temperature for up to 3 days (if it lasts that long!).