Irish Barmbrack

Ingredients:

2 cups mixed dried fruit (raisins, sultanas, currants)

1 cup strong hot tea (black tea works well)

1 cup brown sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

1.5 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon mixed spice (or a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice)

1 large egg

Instructions:

1 —Soak the Fruit:

Place the dried fruit in a bowl, pour over the hot tea and sugar, and stir well. Cover and leave to soak overnight (or at least 4 hours).

2 —Preheat Oven:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a loaf tin with parchment paper, about 8x4x4, just standard size. If you skip the parchment, it will stick from the sugar.

3 —Mix Batter:

Sift flour, baking powder, and spice into a large bowl. Add the soaked fruit mixture (including any liquid) and stir well. Beat in the egg until thoroughly mixed.

4 —Bake:

Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf tin. Bake for 1 hour or until the cake is firm and a skewer comes out clean.

5 —Cool and Serve:

Allow to cool in the tin before turning out. Serve sliced. Get that Kerrygold ready! This is really just a vehicle for butter, I admit it.