Buttery Vanilla Chocolate Chip & Mixed Fruit Tea Loaf – 9 Heavenly Reasons This Cozy Bake Is Simply Irresistible

Buttery Vanilla Chocolate Chip & Mixed Fruit Tea Loaf is the kind of bake that feels like it belongs on a lace-covered table beside a steaming pot of tea. Thank you for being here — truly. There’s something so comforting about slicing into a tender loaf cake, seeing little pockets of melted chocolate and jewel-toned fruit scattered throughout.

This loaf is soft, rich with butter, lightly sweet from brown sugar, and perfectly balanced between cozy and indulgent. It’s the cake you bring to a gathering… and quietly hope there’s a slice left for you.

Before we begin, don’t forget to subscribe to our email list so you never miss one of these nostalgic, bakery-style recipes!

Overview of Recipe Content

What Is Buttery Vanilla Chocolate Chip & Mixed Fruit Tea Loaf?

This is a classic tea loaf — buttery, tender, and sliceable — studded with chocolate chips and sweet mixed dried fruit. It’s baked in a loaf pan, making it perfect for slicing and serving with coffee or tea.

Perfect for:

• Afternoon tea
• Brunch spreads
• Holiday gatherings
• Coffee dates
• Lunchbox treats

If you loved my Glazed Lemon Meltaway Cakes https://poulef.com/glazed-lemon-meltaway-cakes/ or Deep Chocolate Cocoa & Spiced Mixed Fruit Celebration Cake https://poulef.com/deep-chocolate-cocoa-spiced-mixed-fruit-celebration-cake/, this loaf brings together fruit and indulgence in the most comforting way.

Why You’ll Love This Tea Loaf

• Buttery, soft crumb
• Perfect balance of chocolate and fruit
• Not overly sweet
• Beautiful for gifting
• Freezes beautifully

What It Tastes Like

It’s tender and moist with rich vanilla notes. The brown sugar adds warmth, the chocolate chips melt into creamy pockets, and the dried fruit brings bursts of sweetness and texture.

It tastes like something you’d find in a charming countryside bakery.

Ingredients

PIN IT

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup light brown sugar
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3–4 tablespoons milk
• ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ¾ cup mixed dried fruit (raisins, currants, chopped apricots)

Optional:

• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon orange zest

Tools You’ll Need

• 9×5 loaf pan
• Electric mixer
• Mixing bowls
• Spatula
• Cooling rack

Substitutions & Additions

• Swap chocolate chips for white chocolate.
• Soak dried fruit in warm tea for extra moisture.
• Add chopped nuts for crunch.
• Replace half flour with almond flour for richness.

How to Make Buttery Vanilla Chocolate Chip & Mixed Fruit Tea Loaf

PIN IT

Step 1: Preheat & Prepare

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9×5 loaf pan with parchment paper.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Step 3: Cream Butter & Sugar

Beat softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy — about 3–4 minutes.

This step ensures a tender crumb.

Step 4: Add Eggs & Vanilla

Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.

The batter will look silky and smooth.

Step 5: Combine Wet & Dry

Add dry ingredients gradually, alternating with milk. Begin and end with flour mixture.

Mix gently — don’t overwork it.

Step 6: Fold in Chocolate & Fruit

Lightly toss chocolate chips and fruit in flour to prevent sinking. Fold into batter.

Step 7: Bake

Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth top.

Bake 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

If top browns too quickly, tent with foil.

Step 8: Cool

Let cool in pan 15 minutes, then transfer to rack to cool completely.

Slice once fully cooled for clean cuts.

What to Serve with This Tea Loaf

This loaf pairs beautifully with:

• Earl Grey tea
• Cappuccino
• Warm milk
• Fresh berries
• A dusting of powdered sugar

For a beautiful dessert spread, serve alongside Fluffy Banana Chia Squares https://poulef.com/fluffy-banana-chia-squares/ and Butterscotch Toffee Cookie Bars https://poulef.com/butterscotch-toffee-cookie-bars/.

And don’t forget to save this loaf on Pinterest at https://www.pinterest.com/poulefrecipe/ — it’s perfect for cozy baking boards!

Tips for Making It Perfect

• Use room temperature eggs.
• Don’t overmix after adding flour.
• Soak dried fruit for 10 minutes if very dry.
• Let loaf cool completely before slicing.
• Wrap tightly once cooled to maintain moisture.

Storage Instructions

Room Temperature: 3–4 days in airtight container.
Refrigerator: Up to 7 days.
Freezer: Wrap tightly and freeze up to 3 months.

Thaw overnight at room temperature.

General Information

Tea loaves became popular in British-inspired baking traditions, often served in thin slices with tea. The addition of chocolate chips makes this version more indulgent and modern, while mixed fruit gives it classic charm.

This loaf strikes that perfect balance between old-fashioned and irresistible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this into muffins?

Yes — bake 18–22 minutes.

Can I skip the fruit?

Absolutely — increase chocolate chips slightly.

Why did my fruit sink?

Toss fruit in flour before folding in.

Can I add glaze?

A light vanilla glaze works beautifully.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes — bake in two loaf pans.

Conclusion

Buttery Vanilla Chocolate Chip & Mixed Fruit Tea Loaf is cozy, tender, and filled with little pockets of joy. It’s perfect for sharing — or savoring quietly with your favorite mug.

If you love comforting loaf cakes, you’ll also adore Deep Chocolate Cocoa & Spiced Mixed Fruit Celebration Cake https://poulef.com/deep-chocolate-cocoa-spiced-mixed-fruit-celebration-cake/ and Glazed Lemon Meltaway Cakes https://poulef.com/glazed-lemon-meltaway-cakes/.

Bake it once, and I promise — it’ll earn a permanent place in your recipe box.

Interactive Elements

Did you try this tea loaf? Leave a comment and star rating below!

Snap a photo and share it on Pinterest at https://www.pinterest.com/poulefrecipe/ so I can see your cozy creations!

Nutritional Information (Approximate Per Slice – 10 Servings)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	320 kcal
Carbohydrates	38g
Protein	5g
Fat	16g
Saturated Fat	9g
Sugar	22g
Fiber	2g
Sodium	120mg

Print