Irish Barm Brack Fruit Loaf
Delight in the timeless charm of Irish cuisine with this traditional Irish Barm Brack Fruit Loaf, a moist, tea-infused bread brimming with plump dried fruits and warm spices like cinnamon and mixed spice. Perfectly sweetened with light brown sugar, this crowd-pleaser is made extra tender by soaking the fruit overnight in strong black tea, making every bite rich and flavorful. With simple pantry ingredients and minimal prep, this dense yet delicate loaf is ideal for enjoying as a mid-morning treat or a cozy afternoon snack. Serve slices plain for a naturally sweet experience or spread with a dab of butter for ultimate indulgence. Whether you're celebrating Irish heritage or looking for a unique sweet bread, this easy-to-bake Barm Brack is a true slice of comfort and tradition.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 300 ml Strong black tea
- 250 g Mixed dried fruits (raisins, sultanas, currants)
- 100 g Light brown sugar
- 225 g Self-raising flour
- 1 large Egg
- 1 tsp Ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp Ground mixed spice
- Butter (for greasing)
Instructions
Brew the black tea and allow it to cool slightly. Place the mixed dried fruits in a large mixing bowl and pour the tea over them. Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let the fruits soak overnight or for at least 6 hours.
Preheat the oven to 170°C (150°C fan)/325°F/Gas Mark 3. Grease and line a 2lb loaf tin with parchment paper.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg and light brown sugar until combined.
Sift the self-raising flour into the soaked fruit mixture. Add the ground cinnamon, ground mixed spice, and the egg-sugar mixture.
Gently fold all ingredients together until a thick, cohesive batter forms. Be careful not to overmix.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf tin and smooth the top with the back of a spoon.
Bake in the preheated oven for 90 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Remove from the oven and allow the loaf to cool in the tin for 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once cooled, slice and serve plain or with a smear of butter.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
275 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 2.6 g | 3% | |
| Saturated Fat | 1.2 g | 6% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 27 mg | 9% | |
| Sodium | 225 mg | 10% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 59.2 g | 22% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.3 g | 8% | |
| Total Sugars | 31.0 g | ||
| Protein | 4.5 g | 9% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 35 mg | 3% | |
| Iron | 1.1 mg | 6% | |
| Potassium | 311 mg | 7% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
