HOW TO MAKE IRISH BARMBRACK.

Irish Barmbrack, or simply “Brack,” is a traditional Irish fruitcake that’s especially popular around Halloween. It’s traditionally made with tea, dried fruits, and often has a ring baked into it. Finding the ring in your slice means you’ll soon be wed, according to Irish tradition.

Here’s a basic recipe to make your own Irish Barmbrack:

Ingredients:
300-400g mixed dried fruit (raisins, sultanas, currants, candied peel)
300ml strong black tea (no milk)
225g self-raising flour
125g brown sugar
1 beaten egg
1 tsp mixed spice (or adjust to your liking)
1 ring (optional, for tradition)
Instructions:
Soak the Fruit: The night before you bake, place the dried fruit in a bowl and cover it with the black tea. Let it soak overnight. This will plump up the fruit and give it a lovely tea flavor.

Prepare for Baking: The next day, preheat your oven to 170°C (325°F) and grease a loaf pan or a round cake pan.

Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar and soaked fruit mixture (with any remaining tea). Add the beaten egg and mix well. Gradually fold in the flour and mixed spice until everything is well combined. If you’re including a ring, wrap it in a small piece of parchment or greaseproof paper and stir it into the mixture (ensure it’s well-hidden).

Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Place in the oven and bake for about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. If the top starts to darken too quickly, you can cover it with some aluminum foil.

Cool & Serve: Once baked, remove from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Barmbrack is often served sliced and buttered.

Enjoy your traditional Irish Barmbrack!