Saffron Tea Bread

Ingredients

• 1 pinch saffron thread
• 100 g butter
• 100 g caster sugar
• 100 g golden sultana raisins
• 50 g chopped glace cherries
• 280 g plain flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 pinch salt

Directions

1. 1

   put the saffron in a jug and pour in 230 ml of hot water.

2. 2

   leave to infuse for at least 20 minutes.

3. 3

   put the butter and sugar in a large saucepan and stir over a moderate heat.

4. 4

   When the butter has melted and mixed with the sugar, add the sultanas and cherries.

5. 5

   pour in the saffron water.

6. 6

   return to heat and simmer gently for 5 minutes.

7. 7

   leave to cool.

8. 8

   preheat over to 180c/gas 4.

9. 9

   grease and line a 500gr loaf tin.

10. 10

    stir in the flour/salt and baking powder and slowly stir into saffron mixture to form a batter.

11. 11

    Pour the batter into the prepared loaf tin and bake for between 1 and 1 and quarter hours, or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.

12. 12

    leave to cool on a rack.

13. 13

    serve in slices with butter.

14. 14

    I have a 1 KG tin, so just use double the mixture and bake longer