barmbrack (irish fruitcake)

Recipe by
Ellen Gwaltney Bales
Indianapolis, IN

This is one of Ireland's most popular bakery products. It's a Halloween tradition and also eaten at tea time or on St. Patrick's Day. It bears a striking resemblance to our own fruitcake. Recipe & photo: theday.com

yield serving(s)
prep time 2 Hr 30 Min
cook time 30 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For barmbrack (irish fruitcake)

  • 1 stick
    active dry yeast
  • 1 1/2 c
    lukewarm water
  • 4 Tbsp
    plus 1 tsp. sugar for yeast
  • 3 1/3 c
    all purpose flour
  • 1 pinch
    salt
  • 4 Tbsp
    butter (1/2 stick)
  • 1 1/2 c
    raisins
  • 1/2 c
    mixed candied peel
  • 2 Tbsp
    sugar
  • 2
    eggs, beaten

How To Make barmbrack (irish fruitcake)

  • 1
    Place the yeast in a bowl of lukewarm water, add the tsp. of sugar, stir and leave to one side.
  • 2
    In a large bowl, combine flour, butter and salt with a pastry blender until it forms sand-like crumbs. Do not allow the butter to become too warm.
  • 3
    Add the peel, raisins and the remaining sugar and stir to combine.
  • 4
    Make a well in the center of the flour mixture, add the beaten eggs and the yeast mixture. Work the mixture together to form a soft dough.
  • 5
    Knead the dough on a floured work top for 10 minutes until smooth and pliable. Place the dough back into the bowl. Cover with a clean tea cloth and leave in a warm place until the dough has doubled in size (about 1 hour).
  • 6
    Return the dough to the worktop, divide in 2, knead each half for another few minutes and then form into a round approximately 7". Place on a greased baking sheet and leave to rise for another hour.
  • 7
    Bake in a preheated 400-degree oven for 30 minutes, until golden brown.

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