Traditional Irish Barmbrack

Ingredients

• 2 cups (250g) mixed dried fruits (raisins, currants, candied citrus peel) 2 cups (250g) mixed dried fruits (raisins, currants, candied citrus peel)
• 1 ½ cups (350ml) strong black tea 1 ½ cups (350ml) strong black tea
• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ cup (100g) brown sugar ½ cup (100g) brown sugar
• 1 large egg, beaten 1 large egg, beaten
• 2 tablespoons (30g) melted butter 2 tablespoons (30g) melted butter
• 2 tablespoons (30g) honey 2 tablespoons (30g) honey
• Zest of 1 orange Zest of 1 orange
• Zest of 1 lemon Zest of 1 lemon

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 5g, 3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 50g, 30g
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 0.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine the mixed dried fruits and black tea. Allow them to soak for at least 2 hours or overnight.
2. 2.
   Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease a 9-inch (23cm) loaf pan.
3. 3.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
4. 4.
   Drain the soaked fruits, reserving the tea. Set aside.
5. 5.
   In a mixing bowl, cream together the brown sugar, beaten egg, melted butter, honey, orange zest, and lemon zest.
6. 6.
   Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
7. 7.
   Fold in the soaked fruits until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
8. 8.
   Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
9. 9.
   Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
10. 10.
    Remove from the oven and allow the Barmbrack to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Dried fruits — Ensure the dried fruits are plump and moist. If they seem dry, you can soak them in warm water for a few minutes before using.
• Black tea — Use a strong black tea, such as Assam or Irish breakfast tea, to infuse the fruits with a robust flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra burst of flavor, you can soak the dried fruits in Irish whiskey instead of black tea.
• Serve the Barmbrack warm with a dollop of whipped cream or custard for a decadent treat.
• If you prefer a lighter texture, you can substitute half of the all-purpose flour with cake flour.
• Customize the dried fruits to your liking by adding chopped dates, dried cranberries, or apricots.
• To keep the Barmbrack fresh, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Serving advice

Slice the Barmbrack and serve it as is, or spread it with a generous amount of butter for a delightful combination of flavors. Enjoy it alongside a warm cup of tea or coffee.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, dust the top of the Barmbrack with powdered sugar before serving. You can also garnish it with a few candied citrus peels or a sprig of fresh mint.