Mary Berry Fruit Loaf Recipe

Mary Berry Fruit Loaf is a wonderfully soft, lightly spiced tea loaf packed with plump dried fruit and a rich homemade flavour. The crumb is tender and moist, with a gentle sweetness that makes it perfect for breakfast, afternoon tea, or a simple snack. This is an easy recipe suitable for beginners and requires very little hands-on work. Total time is around 1 hour 35 minutes including baking and cooling.

Ingredients

For the Fruit Loaf

• 300g self-raising flour
• 150g soft brown sugar
• 250g mixed dried fruit
• 2 large eggs
• 150ml milk
• 100g butter, melted
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Butter for greasing

How to Make Mary Berry Fruit Loaf Recipe

• Prepare the oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C or 160°C fan. Grease and line a 2lb loaf tin with baking parchment.
• Mix the dry ingredients: Add the flour, sugar, mixed dried fruit, cinnamon and mixed spice to a large bowl. Stir well so the fruit is evenly coated.
• Combine the wet ingredients: In a jug, whisk together the eggs, milk, melted butter and vanilla extract until smooth.
• Make the batter: Pour the wet mixture into the bowl and stir gently until no dry flour remains.
• Fill the tin: Spoon the mixture into the loaf tin and level the surface.
• Bake: Bake for 55 to 60 minutes until golden brown and a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.
• Cool: Leave in the tin for 10 minutes, then lift out and cool fully on a wire rack.
• Serve: Slice thickly and enjoy plain or spread with butter.

Tips

How do I keep the loaf moist?

Wrap it once cooled and store in an airtight container.

Can I stop the top browning too fast?

Cover loosely with foil for the final 20 minutes of baking.

Why is my loaf dense?

Overmixing can make the loaf heavy. Stir only until combined.

Can I add extra fruit?

Yes, add up to 50g extra dried fruit without changing the texture too much.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve toasted with butter
• Enjoy with a pot of tea
• Spread with marmalade
• Use for a breakfast slice

Storage

Room Temperature

Keep in an airtight tin for up to 4 days.

Refrigerator

Store wrapped for up to 1 week. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Freezing

Freeze slices or the whole loaf for up to 3 months. Wrap well and thaw as needed.

Nutrition

• Calories: 265 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 39g
• Protein: 5g
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Sodium: 180mg

Nutrition values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients used.

FAQs

Mary Berry Fruit Loaf Recipe

Recipe by Milli RoseCourse: DessertCuisine: BritishDifficulty: Easy

Servings

10

slices

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

1

hour 

Total time

95

minutes

Calories

265

kcal

1

hour 

15

minutes

Soft and lightly spiced fruit loaf packed with raisins and sultanas. Delicious sliced and served with butter.

Ingredients

• 300g self-raising flour

• 150g soft brown sugar

• 250g mixed dried fruit

• 2 large eggs

• 150ml milk

• 100g melted butter

• 1 tsp mixed spice

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• Butter for greasing tin

Directions

• Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan). Grease and line a 2lb loaf tin.
• Place flour, sugar, dried fruit and spices into a large bowl.
• Whisk eggs, milk, melted butter and vanilla together.
• Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until combined.
• Spoon mixture into loaf tin and level the top.
• Bake for 55 to 60 minutes until risen and a skewer comes out clean.
• Cool in tin for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
• Slice and serve warm or cold with butter if desired.

Notes

• Soak dried fruit in tea for extra moisture.
• Cover loosely with foil if browning too quickly.
• Keep wrapped to maintain softness.