Bun Load/ Spice Cake

This is a 200 year-old recipe for a delicious rich, moist fruit loaf. The Isle of Man was at that time a haunt of smugglers who brought in spices and exotics as well as rum, brandy and tobacco, and cooks made the most of it. Tweaked, tested and photographed by Elizabeth.

Unbalanced

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

Sieve flour, and add baking powder and mixed spice.

Step 2

Rub butter into flour.

Step 3

Add fruit and sugar.

Step 4

Mix treacle with milk.

Step 5

Mix to a soft consistency.

Step 6

Turn into greased 2lb loaf tin, and bake in moderate oven for 1 hour.