Place the warm tea and liquid sweetener in a bowl. Mix together a little.
Add in the dried fruit. Cover and set aside to soak overnight. This bit is VERY important. Don’t rush this step.
The following day when you have a look at the dried fruit in your bowl, all the liquid has miraculously disappeared
Add your fat and the egg with the sieved flour, bread soda and mixed spice and mix well.
Transfer to a greased and base lined 900g/2lb loaf tin or a 20cm/8? round cake tin, and smooth the top.
Bake in a pre-heated oven 170°C/325°F/Gas 3 for approx. 1 hour to 1 ½ hours or until risen and firm to the touch.
Cool on a wire tray. When cold wrap in greaseproof paper and keep for two days before cutting, if you can. If not – just tuck in, and worry about the crumbs afterwards.
Store in an airtight tin.