Barm Brack (barmbrack) – Irish Tea Loaf

Barm Brack is an Irish Tea Loaf.  It is most often eaten, I  understand, at Halloween.  However I love to eat a cake rich in fruit at almost any time.  It is just something that goes so well with a cup of tea.  The main reason for doing this recipe now is simply to show how simple it is to make a delicious cake with relatively few ingredients, most of which are likely to be in people’s cupboards already.
It is also a recipe which can be adapted.  So for instance the dried fruit can be interchanged with whatever a person may have available.  Indeed some chopped nuts could be included too.  The amount of fruit could be lowered too, if the full amount isn’t available.  That would still make a very good cake.  Similarly the spices(mixed spice in my case) can be varied to a particular taste or what is on hand.  So too with the sugar, I used soft light brown sugar,  but dark, or granulated or caster sugar would work too, though the flavour would be changed a little.

The other thing to consider in the liquid.  I soaked my fruit in cold black tea(1 1/4 cups) but if preferred a little of that can be swapped out for some whiskey.  I personally don’t like whiskey(notice the Irish spelling as this is an Irish loaf cake).

My Barm Brack baked very well, and after an hour I decided that it had firmed up enough so I took it out of the oven.  But depending on how much liquid is used in the batter the baking time can vary, so a little longer may be required in some instances.

Once cooled for about 15 minutes I removed it from the tin and allowed it to cool completely.  Then I tasted it and I must say it was very good indeed.  I am aware, however, that many people wrap the cake in foil and then plastic wrap and store it in an airtight tin for a couple of days before having the first taste, so that is something you may wish to consider, if you can wait that long.