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
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.
📖 Recipe
SPICED BARMBRACK FRUIT CAKE
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.
Kelly says
This sounds amazing, I will definitely have to make this! Your recipe is so clear and your pictures look great!
Maureen Celestine says
Thanks, Kelly. Give it a try, you won't regret it. Please let me know how it goes.
Angela says
Sounds delicious, thanks for sharing!
Maureen Celestine says
Thanks, Angela, It is!
Rebecca says
This looks like a great recipe. I love recipes with flavors from around the world. Your photography work is also very nice too.
Maureen Celestine says
Thanks, Rebecca, You are so kind. I do too! Especially ethnic and exotic flavors.
Ashley Reese says
This looks AMAZING! I'll have to make it one of these days! This really does look perfect for a tea party!
Maureen Celestine says
Thanks, Ashley! I guarantee you'll love it.