Bilbo's Tea Cake

Recipe from Middle-earth Recipes (LOTR Scrapbook)

The family loved this delicious, tart tea cake. I did not glaze it to keep the calories under control. The lemony flavor was so good and the sour sweet of the cranberries was a perfect combination.

INGREDIENTS

zest of one lemon (or orange if you prefer) - I used lemon
3/4 c. butter
1 c. sugar
4 eggs
2 1/4 c. flour (any soft flour will do) I used all-purpose
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 c. dried cranberries or currents - I used cranberries
juice of one lemon (orange) - I used lemon

1. Cream together butter, sugar and zest. 
2. Stir together dry ingredients in a separate bowl. 
3. Add the eggs to the butter mixture one at a time, beating well after each. 
4. Add dry ingredients and lemon(or orange...) juice and mix  just until combined. 
5. Spoon into greased loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 min. or until golden. It took me an additional 12 min. 
6. Wrap and store overnight before serving to Gandalf for Afternoon Tea.

-Note- To impress the Wizard (and the Dwarves...), glaze with a mixture of half a lemon(not orange) and 1/2 c. of icing sugar. Pour over the loaf before hiding in the refrigerator overnight. Perfect for unexpected parties.

Enjoy some photos please. They're courtesy of my talented sister Sara.