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Barm Brack

This recipe is steeped in tradition. There are many items that can be found within the cake which suggest various different things for the recipient. If you get a ring it suggests that you will be married within one year, a coin could suggest you will get rich...
4.18 from 46 votes
Course cake
Cuisine Irish

Ingredients
  

  • 250 ml strong cold tea
  • 400 g mixed dried fruit
  • 1 tsp mixed spice or pumpkin spices mix + extra for the syrup
  • 225 g plain flour
  • 175 g brown sugar
  • 1 egg lightly beaten
  • 2 tsp baking powder

Optional Traditional Additions to be wrapped in tin foil or baking parchment

  • 1 1 ring, 1 pea, Piece of a cloth, Money

For the glaze :

  • 100 g caster sugar
  • 100 g water
  • Salted Irish butter to serve

Instructions
 

  • Place the cold tea, mixed dried fruit in a bowl. Cover the bowl with a clean cloth and allow to infuse overnight.
  • Pre-heat a fan oven to 160C/325F/Gas Mark 4.
  • Grease a 2-pound loaf tin and line the base of the tin with some baking parchment.
  • In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, spices, brown sugar. Add the fruit mix and the egg. Stir in and add most of the cold tea from the soaked fruits until a loose batter is achieved. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin.
  • If you are putting in a ring, coin, rag, pea etc, wrap it in tin foil or baking parchment and place it into the cake mixture at this stage.
  • Place in the pre-heated oven and bake for 1 ½ hours.
  • In the meantime, prepare the syrup. In a small saucepan, bring to the boil the white sugar and water until the sugar dissolved. Remove from the heat and add extra mixed spices. Set aside to cool until needed.
  • When the cake is baked, remove from the oven and Cool in the tin for 15 minutes.
  • Remove the cake out of the tin and brush with syrup. Place on a serving platter.
  • Serve warm or toasted with some salted Irish butter.
Keyword afternoon tea, Cake, fruit cake, Kevin Dundon