Freda’s Apple & Fruit Loaf
Freda’s apple & fruit loaf is a delightful, old-fashioned loaf cake—moist, simple to make and perfect to keep in a tin for snacks or afternoon tea. This version is studded with mixed dried fruit and uses apple pulp, which you can prepare in batches and freeze for year-round baking.
Apple Pulp – easy to make
When apples are abundant, make a batch of apple pulp to freeze. Peel, core and chop your apples, then cook them in a heavy-based pan with a splash of water. Bring to the boil, cover, reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes until soft. Mash or blitz to a pulp and allow to cool before freezing in labelled airtight containers or freezer bags. This makes the loaf quick to assemble whenever you fancy baking.
Lovely Apple Loaf Cake
This apple & fruit loaf is wonderfully moist and full of flavour. It’s an excellent way to use up windfall apples or the slightly tired fruit from the bowl. The recipe is straightforward, reliably popular and keeps well in a cake tin—ideal for making again and again.
Changing up your Apple & Fruit Loaf?
Feel free to personalise the loaf. A pinch of cinnamon or allspice complements the apple and dried fruit nicely. Readers have also added almonds, cranberries or other extras—don’t be afraid to experiment. Recently someone used rhubarb pulp instead of apple, which is a lovely twist.
Eggless Apple & Fruit Loaf Cake
This loaf contains no eggs, which is intentional and makes it suitable for those avoiding eggs. The ingredient list is short and the method is uncomplicated—simple can be the best approach for such a comforting bake.
Serving your Apple Fruit Cake
Slice the loaf and enjoy it with a cup of tea, or try it spread with butter and topped with a slice of cheese—the sweet-and-savoury combination is a traditional favourite in some parts of the UK and worth sampling if you haven’t tried it.
I’m grateful to Freda for this reliable, delicious recipe—it’s a keeper.
British Apple varieties
There are thousands of apple varieties available, each with different flavours and textures. Choosing apples that cook down well makes good pulp for this loaf.
Another Apple Cake
If you enjoy this loaf, try other simple apple cakes such as an apple & honey cake. It’s always fun to explore slight variations and find a new family favourite.
You’ll love this Plum Bread!
If you like fruit loaves, you may also enjoy a Lincolnshire plum loaf, which is another loaf we often serve with cheese.
Loaf Liners?
Loaf liners are handy and save you the fuss of lining a tin. They’re inexpensive and available in supermarkets—very useful if you bake loaves regularly.
Apple Cake fans
If you try Freda’s loaf, please leave a comment to share how it went. Feedback and variations from others are always welcome.
Thanks, Clare
Apple Pudding
If you enjoy apple desserts, a quick apple strudel made with ready-rolled pastry is a simple, comforting option—great for autumn.
Freda’s apple & fruit loaf
15
1 30
1 45
10
407kcal
Ingredients
- 340g Self-raising flour
- 170g Caster sugar
- 170g Butter or margarine
- 340g Mixed dried fruit use your favourites
- 2-3 tbs Milk
- 1/2 pt Softened apple pulp
Instructions
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Make the apple pulp (see method above) or thaw a portion of frozen pulp.
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Preheat the oven to Gas 4 / 180°C.
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Melt the butter or margarine in a large saucepan.
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Add the flour, sugar, dried fruit, softened apple pulp and 2–3 tablespoons of milk. Stir until everything is well combined; add a little more milk if needed to achieve a dropping consistency.
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Pour the mixture into a greased and lined large loaf tin.
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Bake for about 1 hour 30 minutes, keeping an eye on it—baking times can vary. A skewer inserted into the centre should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
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Cool, slice, butter if you like, and enjoy—especially good with a slice of cheese.