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Traditional Irish Barmbrack
Traditional Irish Barmbrack is a fruit-studded tea bread soaked with raisins, sultanas, and citrus zests in strong black tea. The soaked fruit is combined with spiced flour and eggs to form a rich batter that bakes into a moist loaf with a dense texture and warm flavors.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 30 mins
Servings:
12
people
Course:
Snacks, Cake
Cuisine:
Irish
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups raisins
- 1 3/4 cups sultanas
- 1 lemon zest; large
- 1 orange zest; large
- 1 cups dark brown sugar
- 2 cups black tea breakfast type; hot and strong; 16 fl oz (500 ml
- 3½ cups all-purpose flour 15oz/426g
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon mixed spice see notes, or pumpkin pie spice
- 2 egg beaten
Notes
- Mix together ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger to substitute for mixed spice blend.
- Soaking the dried fruit overnight in strong black tea and sugar adds moisture and flavor depth to the bread.
- Store the baked Barmbrack in an airtight container at room temperature to keep it fresh for several days.