
Learn how to make these simple low-sugar malt loaf bars in just a few simple steps.
Our low-sugar malt loaf bars are easy to make at home. It's always nice to include a little treat in your child’s school packed lunch. However, cakes and biscuits are a big no-no. Thankfully, these low-sugar malt loaf bars are here to save the day!
Malt extract is used as a natural sweetener, while wholemeal flour adds some extra fibre. The resulting loaves are sticky, squidgy and full of flavour; a perfectly healthy, lunch box treat! Each bar is packed with sultanas and a hint of mixed spice.
If you want to turn these bars into a dessert treat, how about serving them warm with some creamy homemade custard? The family are going to love sharing these malt loaves.
Ingredients
- 100g plain flour
- 100g plain wholemeal flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground mixed spice
- 225g sultanas
- 175g barley malt extract
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 150ml cold black tea
WEIGHT CONVERTER
Method
- Preheat the oven to 150C, gas 2. Grease the individual holes of a mini loaf tin, or place greaseproof mini loaf cases onto a baking tray. Alternatively, you can grease and line a 2lb loaf tin.
- First of all, weigh the plain flour, wholemeal flour, baking powder, mixed spice and sultanas into a large mixing bowl.
- Measure the malt extract and honey into a small saucepan and place over a low heat. As soon as the mixture becomes runny, take it off the heat. Don't let it boil!
- Pour the cold black tea, beaten eggs and malt mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients. Use a wooden spoon and mix to combine.
- The mixture will be very runny, but don't panic, that's just how it should be! Spoon the mixture into the mini loaf tins/loaf cases or into a 2lb loaf tin. The mixture will only rise a little as it cooks, so fill your cases or tin ¾ full.
- Place your malt loaves into the pre-heated oven and leave to cook. The mini loaves will take 45-50 minutes to cook, the 2lb loaf will take between 1 hour 15 minutes and 1 hour 30 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the middle of the loaf, comes out clean.
- Leave the malt loaves to cool in the tin for around 10 minutes and then turn out to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Try to resist eating them straight away. Leave them overnight and they will be lovely and sticky by the morning!
Top Tip for making Low-sugar malt loaf bars
These malt loaves will keep for over a week in an airtight container.

Author, writer and Mum of three, Anneliese Giggins has been creating recipes for Goodto.com for the past 9 years. She has also created food-related content for household names such as Daily Mail, Daily Express and Goodto.com. Her most successful to date was how to feed a family of 4 on £20 a week.