St Patrick's Day Fruit And Spice Bread

Adapted from a recipe by sarah cook in goodfood magazine. Best eaten warm, freshly baked. It's best by far not to substitute any ingredient.

Preheat oven to 350 deg f.

In a food processor , whizz the oats and butter together.

Pour over the buttermilk and vanilla , and stir in briskly with a wooden spoon.

Transfer to a baking tin.

Sprinkle over the dark brown sugar and press the sugar in , all over the top.

To be traditional , cut a cross in the top of the bread.

Bake for about 35 minutes , until crusty on the outside.

Do test with a skewer , as ovens can vary a lot.

Allow more baking time if necessary.

Nicest if eaten warm , in thick slices , slathered with real butter !.

oats, flour, butter, superfine sugar, baking soda, mixed spice, salt, raisins, dates, mixed peel, buttermilk, vanilla, sugar