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Barmbrack
Bairín breac: tea-soaked fruit loaf for Halloween
Barmbrack is the speckled fruit loaf eaten in Ireland at Halloween, when a ring wrapped in baking paper is baked inside, and whoever finds it is said to marry within the year. This is the quick tea brack version made all over Connacht and Munster, with the dried fruit soaked overnight in strong tea so the loaf is dark, moist and fragrant with mixed spice. Serve sliced and buttered with a cup of tea. Chef's tip: soak the fruit for a full night; short soaking gives dry, chewy fruit.
- Total time
- 80 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 12
Ingredients
- 14 oz mixed dried fruit
- 1 ¼ cups hot strong black tea
- 5 ½ oz soft brown sugar
- 1 eggbeaten
- 9 oz self-raising flour
- 1 ½ tsp mixed spice
- 1 tsp orange zest
- ⅓ oz butterfor greasing
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Put the 14 oz mixed dried fruit and 5 ½ oz soft brown sugar in a bowl, pour on the 1 ¼ cups hot strong black tea, stir, cover and leave overnight.
5 minStep 3: Stir the 1 egg and 1 tsp orange zest into the soaked fruit, then fold in the 9 oz self-raising flour and 1 ½ tsp mixed spice until there are no dry patches. If you are adding a ring, wrap it in baking paper and push it into the batter.
3 minStep 4: Spoon into the tin, level the top and bake for 55–65 minutes, until risen and a skewer comes out clean. A common mistake is a hot oven, which burns the sugary fruit on top; cover with foil if it darkens early.
60 minStep 5: Cool in the tin for 15 minutes, then on a rack. It slices best the next day, wrapped.
15 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 240 kcal
- Protein
- 4 g
- Carbs
- 50 g
- Fat
- 3 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does barmbrack take?
- About 80 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 60 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 12 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of soft brown sugar?
- White sugar + 1 tbsp molasses or treacle per 200g.
- What can I use instead of egg?
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg, left for 5 minutes (baking only; vegan).
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