Traditional Irish Barmbrack
Celebrate Halloween the Irish way with traditional Barmbrack, a sweet, fruity, spiced bread with a hidden surprise inside. Packed with raisins, sultanas, candied peel, and a hint of orange zest, this no-fuss loaf is perfect for sharing with family.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 225 g plain flour
- 2 tsp of baking powder
- 375 g packet of fruit mix raisins/current/sultanas/candied peel
- 1 orange zested
- 300 ml hot tea 2 teabags
- 125 g light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tsp of mixed spice
- A ring to go in the cake batter – wrap it in parchment paper
- Sugar syrup: 1 tablespoon icing sugar with 1 tablespoon boiling water- optional
Instructions
- Measure the dried fruit into a bowl with the zest of the orange. Pour over the hot tea leave for a few hours or even overnight. Next day, discard the teabags, strain the fruit and reserve the liquid.
- Preheat oven to 170°C. Grease and line an 8-inch round tin. Whisk sugar and egg, then add the reserved liquid. Fold in sifted flour, baking powder, and mixed spice, followed by the soaked fruit.
- Spoon into the tin (add a ring if using), smooth the top, and bake for 50–60 minutes until a skewer comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Brush the sugar syrup over the top.
- Serve sliced, plain or with butter.
- Storage: Store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze slices individually, for up to 3 months.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!