Cranberry, Almond & Orange Fruit Loaf

The flavours of Cranberry, Almond and Orange work wonderfully in unison.

In this delicious loaf, the bread is filled with orange zest and cranberry, complimenting each other perfectly – and the almonds add a wonderful texture.

Ingredients:

For the fruit loaf:

150g (5oz) unsalted butter, softened, & extra for greasing

150g (5oz) cranberries

75g (3oz) marzipan, cut into small cubes

150g (5oz) self-raising flour

150g (5oz) golden caster sugar

3 medium eggs, beaten

75g (3oz) ground almonds

1 orange, zested

½tsp almond extract

For the topping (optional):

150g (5oz) cranberries

75g (3oz) golden caster sugar

1 vanilla pod

1 large orange, juiced, plus extra for icing

2 tbsp icing sugar

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C Fan/Gas 4. Grease a 900g (2lb) loaf tin and line with non stick baking paper.

2. Mix together cranberries and marzipan together with a tablespoon of the flour and set it aside.

3. Beat butter and sugar together in a large bowl using an electric whisk until it appears pale and is fluffing.

4. Add in your eggs, beating well each time one is added.

5. Fold in the ground almonds, remaining flour, orange zest, almond extract and the cranberry/marzipan mix.

6. Pour your batter into a pre-prepared tin followed by smoothing it on top.

7. Bake for 50 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Rest in the tin for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

8. To make your topping, put the cranberries, sugar, vanilla pod and orange juice into a saucepan and cook on a medium heat for 6-8 minutes. Stir until it is of a jammy consistency and set aside to thicken and cool.

9. While this is being done, combine the icing sugar with orange juice  to make a smooth, runny icing. Drizzle on to the cake and top it off with the cranberry mixture.

Serves 8

Recipe and imagery by The Purple Pumpkin