St. Patricks Day: Irish Brambrack

I wanted to make a traditional Irish recipe, but a dessert instead of the traditional savory things that we eat for St. Patricks Day. And boy oh boy did I find a sweet recipe. This is sometimes refered to as a bread, but in my opinion this is a cake, a really really sweet cake. It's kind of spicy(not hot but the cinnamony spicy flavor)  This recipe is traditionally made during Halloween. And it would be so good in the fall! But well it’s gonna be good anytime!

 Here’s what you’ll need:

2 cups raisens, chopped (you could use any kind of dried fruit really)
1-1/2 cups hot black tea
1 egg, beaten
1-1/4 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup lemon marmalade (I used lemon curd)
1 tsp freshly-grated orange zest
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

 

 

Here’s how you make it:

Add the raisens to a bowl, then pour the black tea over them and let them soak for 3 hours, or overnight is best. Afterwards, drain the raisens of any excess liquid.

Add the egg, sugar, lemon marmalade, orange zest, cinnamon, and nutmeg to a large bowl and beat until well mixed, then carefully fold in the fruit and stir until everything is thoroughly combined. Gently fold in the flour and baking soda until just combined, pour dough into a well-greased cake pan, or Bundt pan.
The trick in making a good Barmbrack is to not over-mix the dough or the fruit will break apart and lose its yummy plumpness.
Place in an oven preheated to 350°F and bake for about 50 minutes. When done, the top of the cake is a light golden brown and springs back when pressed. Remove cake from the oven and let cool at least 60 minutes in the pan before placing onto a wire rack. Allow to cool completely before serving.

If you want to, when done, glaze the top of your barmbrack with 1 tablespoon honey dissolved in 2 tablespoons boiling water, pouring it evenly over the top, then returning the cake to the oven for 2 or 3 minutes to set the glaze. We choose not to because well we are "sweet enough already!" We decided to add a little whipped cream a few fresh grapes just to jazz it up! Serve with a hot cup of tea or nice big glass of milk!

ENJOY!