Irish Barmbrack Recipe
Irish Barmbrack is a traditional fruit cake soaked in tea and whisky, offering a moist and flavorful treat. Infused with a medley of raisins, sultanas, and glace cherries, this cake blends warm spices and a hint of orange marmalade to create a comforting dessert perfect for sharing or celebrating Irish heritage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes active, plus 9 hours overnight soaking
- Cook Time: 80-90 minutes
- Total Time: 9 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings (1 loaf cake) 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients
Scale
Dried Fruit Mixture
- 250g raisins
- 225g sultanas or currants
- 25g glace cherries, rinsed, dried, and cut into quarters
- 300ml strong, cold tea
- 50ml Irish whisky (or any other alcohol of your choice, such as Green’s ginger wine)
Baking Mixture
- 1 medium egg, beaten
- 200g caster sugar or soft light brown sugar
- 220g self-raising flour
- 1 teaspoon ground mixed spice
- 1 tablespoon orange marmalade (optional, for glazing)
Instructions
- Soak the Fruit: In a large bowl, combine the raisins, sultanas or currants, and glace cherries with the cold strong tea and Irish whisky. Cover and leave to soak overnight, allowing the fruit to plump up and infuse the liquid flavors.
- Preheat and Prepare Tin: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan)/350°F/gas mark 4. Grease and line a 900g (2lb) loaf tin measuring approximately 5×8 inches with baking parchment to prevent sticking.
- Mix the Batter: Add the beaten egg, sugar, self-raising flour, and ground mixed spice to the soaked fruit mixture. Stir thoroughly until all the flour is incorporated and the mixture is smooth and uniform.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf tin, spreading it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 80 to 90 minutes. Check doneness by pressing lightly on the cake top; it should spring back, and a skewer inserted into the center should come out clean. If the cake surface darkens too quickly, cover loosely with baking parchment.
- Cool and Glaze: Remove the barmbrack from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the tin on a wire rack. While still warm, brush the top with orange marmalade if desired to add a subtle sweetness and shine. Let the cake cool fully before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Soaking the fruit overnight ensures a moist and flavorful cake.
- Using self-raising flour provides the right lift and crumb texture.
- Cover the cake with baking parchment if it browns too fast during baking.
- Brush with orange marmalade for a glossy finish and added sweetness.
- Enjoy with a cup of tea or as part of an Irish festive celebration.
Keywords: Irish Barmbrack, fruit cake, traditional Irish recipe, soaked fruit cake, tea cake, festive dessert
Find it online: https://foodiecara.com/irish-barmbrack-recipe/