Name: Barnbrack
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 100 min
Ingredients: 2 cup golden sultanas; 1/4 cup mixed peel; 1 cup brown sugar; finely grated zest of 1 lemon; 500 millilitre hot earl grey tea; 2 1/2 cup self-raising flour; 1 teaspoon mixed spice; 1 pinch salt; 1 medium free-range egg, well beaten

Barnbrack

Try this tasty version of the classic Irish fruit loaf. It’s so simple to prepare, and is just perfect when served toasted with butter and a cup of tea.

Makes 22 pieces

Prep

10M

Cook

1H 30M

Total

1H 40M

Ingredients

2 cup golden sultanas

1/4 cup mixed peel

1 cup brown sugar

finely grated zest of 1 lemon

500 millilitre hot earl grey tea

2 1/2 cup self-raising flour

1 teaspoon mixed spice

1 pinch salt

1 medium free-range egg, well beaten

Method

1.Mix sultanas, peel, sugar and lemon zest together in a bowl and pour over hot tea. Leave to soak overnight; cover when cool.

2.Line the bottom and sides of a 22cm-deep cake tin with baking paper. Preheat oven to 170°C and set a shelf below the centre of the oven.

3.Sift the flour, mixed spice and salt over the fruit mixture, then add the egg and gently fold together; don’t beat. Tip mixture into prepared tin.

4.Bake for 1½ hours, draping the top with tin foil once it is a deep golden-brown. The cake should be well risen, a good colour, feel firm to the touch and be showing signs of pulling away from the sides of the tin.

5.Cool in the tin for 15 minutes, then turn it out onto a cake rack and leave until cool. Once cool, store airtight – it will keep for several days. Serve it sliced into thick wedges and spread generously with butter.

Women's Weekly Food