Cake #69 - Halloween Barmbrack

Wednesday Natural Ingredient / Healthy Cake - Halloween Barmbrack.

A traditional Irish cake. I have tested several recipes and then added a little bit of this (Finnish-style dark syrup, for example) and a little bit of that (spices). This cake keeps well in the fridge for several days. This cake is not only for Halloween but it is an excellent Christmas time coffee treat, too.

Halloween Barmbrack

375 g mixed dried fruit

500 ml cold tea

2 tsp baking powder

500 ml plain flour

200 ml brown sugar
50 ml dark syrup

1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp ground cloves

2 large eggs

1. Put the mixed dried fruit in a bowl with the cold tea. Allow to soak overnight.

2. Preheat the oven to 170 C / 350 F. Grease and flour a 2 lb loaf pan.

3. Combine the flour, baking powder, sugar and mixed spice in a mixing bowl. 

4. Make a well in the centre, add the syrup and then break in the egg and mix well.

5. Gradually add liquid from the mixed fruit and mix it through. You may not need all the liquid, but the dough should be fairly runny.

6. Add the mixed fruit until everything is thoroughly combined. 

7. Pour the dough into the pan and bake for 45-60 minutes.

8. Allow to cool before removing from pan. 

9. Serve in slices with butter.