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    Home » Recipes » Inter-Continental Dish » SPICED BARMBRACK IRISH FRUIT CAKE

    Published: May 4, 2018 · Modified: Oct 29, 2022 by Maureen Celestine with 8 Comments

    SPICED BARMBRACK IRISH FRUIT CAKE

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    In need of a sweet treat? This Spiced Irish fruit cake is tasty, moist, and flavorful without being overwhelmingly sweet.

    If you are really feeling naughty, you can top it with whipped cream and blackberry jam. It is quick and easy to put together and is perfect for serving at breakfast or tea parties. Pair with our fans favorite butterfly pea tea latte.

    This cake is delicately spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. The simplicity of this classic Irish treat requires no complicated mixer or tools. The only tools you need are a mixing bowl, whisk, and spatula. This lovely recipe was adapted from my favorite Irish kitchen cookbook. The method was vastly modified, but the ingredients are similar.

    How to make Irish cake using dried fruits

    As the name implies, this recipe calls for various dried fruits, NOT candied fruits. I have used a combination of dried fruits like raisins, currants, cranberries, dates, apricots, blueberries, and prunes. Aside from dates and prunes, the other fruits combine well with this recipe when the fruits are soaked in the liquid overnight.

    First, soak the dried fruit (about 1 ¼ to 1 ½ cups) in the liquid overnight. I used cold Irish breakfast tea and a splash of cinnamon whiskey. Feel free to use coffee or juice.

    Also, if you are eager to wait that long for the fruits to soak, simply simmer the fruit and liquid on a stovetop for five minutes and allow it to cool completely before adding to the batter. Soaking the fruits doesn’t only plump them up but prevents the cake from drying out. Also, the remaining liquid from the soak is added to the cake to thin out the batter.

    THE BATTER

    This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, I'll receive a small compensation at no cost to you. Thanks for the continuous support!

    The batter is as simple as it gets. Easy as sifting the dried ingredients and combining them with butter and sugar. Once you’ve added the soft butter, rub it into the flour until it resembles fine crumbs, then add the sugar and mix. Stir in the egg, and fold in the soaked fruits with the remaining liquid. Then transfer to a baking pan. I used two 6x3” pans, although an 8” pan works best. Lightly grease the bottom of the cake pan and line it with parchment paper; this helps for a smooth cake release when baked.

    This Irish tea cake treat would make a perfect mother’s day gift or any occasion gifting in general. Bake the cake in a mini loaf pan(I love this pan from Wilton) and wrap it in a cellophane bag. Finish with a bow of kitchen twine and a personalized gift tag(an inexpensive one from Amazon here). Please let us know in the comments below if you give this recipe a try. Also, don't forget to follow World treat on social media; we are on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Stop by and say hi. Until next time, loads of love for your support.

    SPICED BARMBRACK FRUIT CAKE

    This flavorsome Irish fruit cake is quick and easy to make and is perfect for serving over breakfast or tea party.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast, Dessert
    Cuisine: irish
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 55 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
    Servings: 8 '' cake
    Calories: 296kcal
    Author: Maureen Celestine

    Ingredients

    • ½ Cup raisins
    • ½ Cup dried apricot
    • 1 Cup dried cranberry
    • 1 Teaspoon whiskey
    • 1 Cup cold brewed tea
    • 1 ¾ Cups all-purpose flour
    • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
    • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 ¾ teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ Cup butter, cubed (1 stick)
    • ½ Cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed
    • 2 large eggs
    • ½ Cup walnut, roughly chopped (optional)

    Instructions

    • Place the dried fruits in a bowl and tip over the cold tea and whiskey. Let soak overnight.
    • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease one loaf pan or 8” cake tin.
    • Sift the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and all the spices mentioned above into a mixing bowl. Add the butter and with your fingertips, rub it into the flour until it resembles fine crumbs. Add the sugar and mix.
    • Gently stir in the egg and combine. Add the liquid from the overnight soak to make a moderately thick but moist texture. Stir in the dried fruits. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and level the surface with the back of a spatula.
    • Bake for 55 minutes or until it’s stiff to the touch or a toothpick inserted in the cake comes out clean.
    • Leave the cake to cool completely on a wire rack. Top with jam and whipped cream or serve as is with a cup of tea or coffee.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 | Calories: 296kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 195mg | Potassium: 491mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 718IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @WorldlyTreat or tag #worldlytreat!

    More Intercontinental dish recipes

    • Mousse au Chocolat
    • Asaro (Nigerian Yam Porridge)
    • Matcha Roll Cake
    • Baked Matcha Donut with White Chocolate Glaze

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kelly says

      May 08, 2018 at 1:01 am

      This sounds amazing, I will definitely have to make this! Your recipe is so clear and your pictures look great!

      Reply
      • Maureen Celestine says

        May 08, 2018 at 5:21 am

        Thanks, Kelly. Give it a try, you won't regret it. Please let me know how it goes.

        Reply
    2. Angela says

      May 08, 2018 at 10:10 am

      Sounds delicious, thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Maureen Celestine says

        May 08, 2018 at 6:03 pm

        Thanks, Angela, It is!

        Reply
    3. Rebecca says

      May 08, 2018 at 11:44 am

      This looks like a great recipe. I love recipes with flavors from around the world. Your photography work is also very nice too.

      Reply
      • Maureen Celestine says

        May 08, 2018 at 6:02 pm

        Thanks, Rebecca, You are so kind. I do too! Especially ethnic and exotic flavors.

        Reply
    4. Ashley Reese says

      May 09, 2018 at 8:00 am

      This looks AMAZING! I'll have to make it one of these days! This really does look perfect for a tea party!

      Reply
      • Maureen Celestine says

        May 10, 2018 at 12:57 pm

        Thanks, Ashley! I guarantee you'll love it.

        Reply

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    Maureen celestine

    Thanks for stopping by. It means the world to me. Here on Worldly Treat you'll discover family-friendly dishes, one-pot recipes, signature cocktails, classic African dishes, holiday favorites, and lots more! Easy recipes for the everyday home cook. You can taste the world right in your kitchen without taking a trip. Please follow along. Let's get cooking!

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