Manx Bonnag

Method

Preheat the oven to 180°C and grease a 900g loaf tin. Cream together the softened butter and caster sugar until pale and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, adding a little flour if the mixture begins to curdle. Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and mixed spice, then fold into the creamed mixture alternately with the milk. Fold in the dried fruit gently until evenly distributed throughout the batter. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and bake for 50-60 minutes until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.