Irish Barmbrack Fruit Bread (Printable)
Moist Irish fruit bread with tea-soaked dried fruits and warm spices, ideal for breakfast or afternoon tea.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dried Fruits
01 - 1 1/2 cups mixed dried fruit (raisins, sultanas, currants)
02 - 1/3 cup mixed peel (optional)
03 - 1 cup strong black tea, hot
→ Bread Base
04 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
05 - 1/2 cup brown sugar
06 - 1 tsp baking powder
07 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
08 - 1/2 tsp ground mixed spice
09 - 1/4 tsp salt
→ Wet Ingredients
10 - 1 large egg
11 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
12 - Zest of 1 orange (optional)
# How-To Steps:
01 - Combine dried fruit and mixed peel in a bowl. Pour hot tea over the mixture, cover, and soak for 1 hour. For extra plumpness, soak overnight.
02 - Preheat oven to 340°F. Grease and line a 2 lb loaf tin with parchment paper.
03 - Sift flour, baking powder, cinnamon, mixed spice, and salt into a large bowl. Stir in brown sugar until evenly distributed.
04 - Whisk egg with melted butter and orange zest (if using) in a separate bowl until well blended.
05 - Pour the wet mixture and soaked fruit with any remaining tea into the dry ingredients. Fold gently until just combined—do not overmix.
06 - Spoon batter into the prepared loaf tin and smooth the top with a spatula for even baking.
07 - Bake for 55–65 minutes until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. If top browns too quickly, tent with foil.
08 - Let cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
09 - Slice and serve plain or generously buttered. Best enjoyed slightly warmed.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The overnight soak transforms ordinary dried fruit into something extraordinary
- Your entire kitchen will smell like warm spices and tea while it bakes
02 -
- Overmixing the batter makes the bread tough instead of tender
- The fruit needs to be drained if it has absorbed all the tea, otherwise the bread becomes soggy
03 -
- Add a tablespoon of whiskey to the soaking liquid for adult occasions
- Room temperature ingredients mix more evenly than cold ones