Mumsey’s Fruit Loaf

I make this loaf when I am baking something else and do the first part of the recipe at the beginning of my baking time. This allows the mixture to cool as when the baking soda is added the mixture foams a bit too much if it is still too hot.
You can use any combination of dried fruit but this is what I like.
I know the “half’ measures for the dry ingredients seem odd but the original recipe I have adapted to suit me was for two loaves.
If I have been baking muffins where I use a paper kitchen towel and some margarine to grease the muffin tins, I use the same towel to lightly grease the loaf tin.

Ingredients
1 cup sugar
25 gr butter
250 gr of dried fruit (I use, 150gr Sultanas and 100gr chopped dates)
1 cup water

½ heaped tsp baking soda
½ tsp mixed spice
large pinch of cinnamon
½ small tsp salt
2 cups flour

In a large saucepan place the first four ingredients. Bring to the boil slowly and simmer gently for 5 minutes.
Cool a few minutes.
Prepare the loaf tin by lightly greasing it then lining with baking (or butter) paper.
Add the other ingredients and mix well.
Bake in loaf tin for about 1 hour at 180C.
Leave to cool in tin and slice when needed.