Fruity bran loaf

This easy egg free fruity bran loaf is packed with fruity goodness and is fat free – so feel free to spread slices generously with butter!

I love a slice of fruit loaf, and this is a really simple but delicious one.  It’s a great keeper – in fact if you can stand not to cut into the loaf for a couple of days, it will taste all the better.  

This is not a pretty cake at all – in fact, it’s rather lumpy and bumpy looking. But I promise the taste more than makes up for it.

Interested in trying more fruit cakes?

Try this delicious sticky malt loaf recipe or this Irish Barmbrack (Tea Loaf) 

More recipes to try using dried fruit

Mincemeat muffins 

Fruity Flapjacks

Mincemeat Loaf Cakes

Amaretto Christmas Cake

equipment list

A bran loaf is one of the easiest cakes you can make – you measure out all the ingredients in a mug. A standard sized normal mug you drink your tea out of is fine!

You don’t even need to get your scales out for this recipe. Just remember – the bigger the cup, the bigger the loaf which in turn, may affect the baking time.

I actually used a small mug to measure my ingredients, but it’s swings and roundabouts really. I’ve made this recipe countless times and it’s never, ever gone wrong. Well, apart from the time I forgot to add the flour!! Yes, I am that dozy at times….

You’ll need a 2lb (900g) loaf tin to make this cake. 

ingredients list 

• Bran flakes
• Sugar – I like to use soft or dark brown sugar. caster sugar is also fine, but your loaf will be much lighter in colour.
• Milk
• Dried fruit of your choice – sultanas, raisins, currants, cranberries and apricots are all good here.  I imagine those exotic fruit mixes you can buy would be really lovely.
• Self Raising Flour
• Ground mixed spice, ground cinnamon or ginger (optional but I always include it for a little extra flavour)

step by step instructions

(scroll to the bottom of the post to find printable recipe)

• Combine bran flakes, milk, any dried fruit of your choice, sugar and spices if using in a large mixing bowl. Leave for about an hour.

• The bran flakes will obviously soften and the mixture will be quite mushy and unattractive.  Don’t be put off by the appearance.

• Stir in self raising flour, being careful not to overmix. Pour into a loaf tin and bake for about 1 hour or until risen and a skewer inserted in the middle of the cake emerges clean.

• That’s all there is to it.  It really is that easy!

recipe notes 

• Use whatever dried fruit you have in the cupboard – anything works.  It’s a very adaptable recipe.

• When you add the flour, don’t overmix – stop as soon as the flour is incorporated into the mix. Over mixing will activate gluten and produce a tough, rubbery loaf cake. 

• Although you can eat this fruit loaf straight away, it’s much better if you can leave it for a day or two. Just like a malt loaf or gingerbread, it will soften and become squidgier. 

• When the loaf is completely cold, wrap in a layer of baking paper or cling film and tin foil to keep it fresh.

• I love this fruity bran loaf spread with lots of butter at any time of the day. I’ve even been known to have a slice for breakfast.

how long will this fruit bran loaf keep?

The fruit loaf will keep for up to a week, providing it is well wrapped/in an airtight tin.  Store in a cool place, out of direct sunlight.  

how to make a vegan fruit bran loaf 

You can make a vegan fruit loaf by swapping the dairy milk for a plant based alternative, such as almond, soy, rice or oat milk. 

did you make this recipe?

If you give this recipe a go, please let me know what you think! Leave a comment in the box below and rate the recipe out of 5 by clicking on the stars in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Looking for more easy loaf cake recipes?

golden syrup cake

Raspberry Bakewell cake 

Lemon drizzle cake

Coconut and raspberry jam loaf cake

Banana Fudge Loaf

Peanut Butter Cup Chocolate Chip Banana Loaf

Easy banana bread

chocolate sour cream banana cake

Continue to Content

Fruity bran loaf

Yield: 8-10 slices

Prep Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes

This easy egg free fruity bran loaf is packed with fruity goodness and is fat free - so feel free to spread slices generously with butter!

Print

Ingredients

• 1 mug sugar, white or soft light/dark brown
• 1 mug mixed dried fruit – I usually use whatever I’ve got in the cupboard – raisins, sultanas, cranberries, chopped apricots and cherries are all good here
• 1 mug milk
• 1 mug bran flakes
• 1 mug self raising flour
• 1/2 tsp ground mixed spice or ground cinnamon , optional

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/160Fan/350F/Gas mark 4. Grease and line a 2lb (900g) loaf tin.
2. Pour the sugar, dried fruit, milk and bran flakes into a large mixing bowl and stir well. Cover the bowl and leave for one hour.
3. Using a wooden spoon, stir in the flour. Pour the mixture into the lined loaf tin and bake for 50-60 mins or until a sharp knife or skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean. Leave the loaf cake to cool in the tin.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 304Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 245mgCarbohydrates: 74gFiber: 4gSugar: 49gProtein: 4g

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