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Photograph of Honey and Fig Fruit Loaf with Pecan Nuts

Honey and Fig Fruit Loaf with Pecan Nuts

This wonderful soft and moist cake is lightly sweetened with honey and loaded with figs, sultanas and pecan nuts. This cake is very versatile: it is quite perfect served simply sliced, but it is also delicious spread with your favourite butter. I like a nice salted butter, but nut butters and goat's butter are fabulous too. Alternatively, slice it thinly and serve it as an accompaniment to a cheeseboard - it works well with salty cheese, soft, creamy cheese, as well as some stinky blue cheese.

Makes 1 x 900g/2lb loaf or 2 x 450g/1lb loaves

Course afternoon tea, Morning Coffee, treat, with cheese
Keyword figs, pecan nuts, tea loaf
Author Susan

Ingredients

  • 300ml your favourite tea – I use English Breakfast
  • 200g dried figs, stem removed and chopped
  • 100g raisins or sultanas
  • 75g runny honey – or replace with maple syrup or sugar
  • 70g pecan nuts, divided
  • 1 egg – or 1 flax egg
  • 225g plain/all-purpose flour
  • 1½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon fine salt

Instructions

  1. Collect together your equipment (see Recipe Notes below) and ingredients.

  2. Preheat oven to Fan Oven 160°C/180°C/350°F/Gas 4

  3. Either:

    – the night before you make the cake: pour 300ml boiling water over the tea bag in a jug, allow to infuse for a few minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the figs and measure directly into a mixing bowl with the raisins/sultanas. Pour the tea and runny honey over the fruit and stir well. Cover and leave until the following day, until you are ready to make the cake. OR

    – one hour before you make the cake: pour 300ml boiling water over the tea bag in a jug, allow to infuse for a few minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the figs and measure directly into a saucepan with the raisins. Pour the tea over the fruit. Bring to a simmer, cook for 1 minute, add the runny honey, stir and leave to cool for 1 hour before making the cake.

  4. Make the cake: chop the pecan nuts and set 20g of the nuts aside to sprinkle over the top of the cake(s).

  5. Remove the tea bag and then add all the remaining ingredients to the fruit and the tea – flour, 50g chopped pecans, baking powder, salt and the egg.

  6. Stir well to ensure it is all thoroughly mixed, but do not over mix.

  7. Transfer to a lined 900g/2lb loaf tin, or 2 x 450g/1lb loaf tins, level the surface and top with remaining chopped pecan nuts.

  8. Bake in the centre of a preheated oven for 1 hour – 1 hour and 15 minutes.

  9. Leave to cool in the tin for 5 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack.

  10. To serve: slice thinly and serve with cheese. Also, delicious served as is or with your favourite butter.

Recipe Notes

Equipment:

  • kitchen scales and measuring spoons
  • measuring jug
  • chopping board and knife
  • mixing bowl or large saucepan
  • 1 x 900g/2lb or 2 x 450g/1lb loaf tin(s) and liner(s) or lined with baking parchment 

How can I make this cake vegan?

To make the cake vegan, you just need to:

  • replace the egg with a vegan alternative, I like ground flax seed. Simply mix 1 tablespoon ground flax seed with 3 tablespoons luke-warm water, set aside to thicken for 5 minutes and then add to the batter, instead of an egg.
  • replace the honey with maple syrup or sugar.

What is the best way to serve this cake?

This cake is very versatile: it is quite perfect served simply sliced, but it is also delicious spread with your favourite butter. I like a nice salted butter, but nut butters and goat’s butter are fabulous too. Alternatively, slice it thinly and serve it as an accompaniment to a cheeseboard – it works well with salty cheese, soft, creamy cheese, as well as some stinky blue cheese. This versatile cake is definitely a great cake to have around during the festive season, plus it is also ideal for a packed lunch or picnic.