4.7 from 56 votes
Gluten Free Tea Bread (Gluten Free Bara Brith)
Gluten Free Tea Bread, or Bara Brith, is a moist, fruity loaf made by soaking currants, raisins, and golden raisins in strong hot tea and brown sugar overnight. The soaked fruit is mixed with gluten-free flour, xanthan gum, baking powder, and egg to create a dense, rich batter. Baked until a tester comes out clean, this bread has a deep color and complex flavor from the tea and dried fruit, making it a comforting treat suited for teatime or as a sweet snack.
Prep Time
8 hrs
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
9 hrs
Servings:
16
slices
Calories:
172 kcal
Course:
Bread, Baked Goods
Cuisine:
British, Scottish
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup currants not blackcurrants, Zante
- ¾ cup raisins
- ¾ cup golden raisins (Sultanas)
- 1 ¼ cup dark brown sugar soft
- 10 oz black tea hot (stronger is better)
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 ¾ cup gluten-free baking flour sifted, Trader Joe's brand
- ¼ tsp xanthan gum
- 2 tsp baking powder
Instructions
Prep:
- Put all the dried fruit into a bowl with the brown sugar and pour the hot tea over the top. Cover and let stand on the counter overnight.
- The next morning, or 6 to 8 hours later.
Cup of Yum
After prepping:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Grease and flour the inside of a loaf tin and set aside.
- Pour the fruit/tea mixture into a large bowl.
- Next, add the beaten egg.
- Add the gluten free flour, xanthan gum and baking powder and mix well.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and place into preheated oven.
- Bake for 60 to 65 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Allow the gluten free tea bread to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then carefully remove and place on a cooling rack. Be sure to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- Use about 12 ounces of total dried fruit; orange-flavored cranberries or apricot pieces can be mixed with raisins and sultanas for variety.
- Stronger tea results in a darker colored loaf and deeper flavor.
- On occasion, substituting part of the tea with brandy can be done, though its effect on flavor is subtle.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1slice
Calories
172kcal
(9%)
Carbohydrates
42g
(14%)
Protein
2g
(4%)
Fat
1g
(2%)
Saturated Fat
0.1g
(1%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.2g
(1%)
Monounsaturated Fat
0.2g
(1%)
Trans Fat
0.001g
(0%)
Cholesterol
12mg
(4%)
Sodium
69mg
(3%)
Potassium
181mg
(4%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
25g
(50%)
Vitamin A
21IU
(0%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
65mg
(7%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 16 slices
Amount Per Serving
Calories 172
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1slice | |
| Calories | 172kcal | 9% |
| Carbohydrates | 42g | 14% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 1g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.2g | 1% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.2g | 1% |
| Trans Fat | 0.001g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 12mg | 4% |
| Sodium | 69mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 181mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 25g | 50% |
| Vitamin A | 21IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 65mg | 7% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.