Ingredients

• 225g self raising flour
• 110g butter
• 110g sugar
• 225g mixed fruit (include cherries if wished)
• 1 egg
• 5 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon mixed spice (optional)

Method

1. Rub the butter into the flour until it looks like fine breadcrumbs, add sugar and dried fruit and mixed spice, if using.
2. Add egg and milk to make a soft dropping consistency.
3. Put into lined 2 lb loaf tin or 6″ round cake tin. Sprinkle demerara sugar over the top and pat down with the back of a spoon (this gives a nice crunchy top) and bake for approximately 1 to 1 1/4 hours in a preheated oven at 180 C / 160 C fan / Gas 4 until a skewer comes out clean.