Irish Barm Brack (makes two loaves)

My goodness hasn’t the weather turned cold? And with the cold comes thoughts of a warm fire, a pot of tea to share, and a slice or two of nice fruitcake.

Irish Barm Brack (or ‘speckled bread’ in Irish Gaelic) is a traditional recipe that’s economical, contains no butter or oil, and results in a moist, light fruitcake.

Ingredients:

• 175gms brown sugar
• 345gms dried fruit (you can used packaged mixed fruit, or make your own mix with dried fruit such as raisins, chopped dried apricots, cranberries, figs, etc.)
• 450mls freshly made black tea
• 1 egg, beaten
• 345gms self-raising flour
• 1/3 tsp cloves
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp ginger

Method:

1. Put the sugar and dried fruit into a medium-sized bowl, then pour the hot tea over the mix and stir. Cover and let the mix become cold before moving on to the next step.

2. Set oven to 160o fan forced or 180o normal.

3. Spray two loaf tins with non-stick cooking spray. Alternatively, grease and line loaf tins with baking paper.

4. Stir beaten egg into the fruit mixture.

5. Stir in flour and spices.

6. Share the batter between loaf tins, and smooth over the tops.

7. Bake for 45 minutes or until risen and firm to touch.

8. Cool in tin for 5 minutes and then turn out onto a wire rack.

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• Food
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