Irish Barmbrack (Báirín Breac)
The “báirín breac,” or “speckled loaf,” is studded with fruits, spices, and – most curiously – a few hidden surprises to tell your fortune for the year ahead. Barmbrack, or “báirín breac,” is traditionally baked in autumn as an All Hallows’ Eve treat, its flavours and customs perfectly warming us up for the season. Historically, a ring hidden inside symbolized luck or love for the one who found it, while other trinkets foretold the future (beware the matchstick!).
Prep time: 20mins
Cooking time: 1 hr
Serves: 8
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225g plain flour2 tsps baking powder375g packet of mixed fruit½ jar Folláin Whiskey Marmalade150ml cold tea25ml whiskey100g light brown sugar1 large egg½ tsp mixed spice
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- Place your mixed fruit in a bowl, pour over the whiskey and tea, and stir in Folláin Whiskey Marmalade. Cover and leave to soak overnight.
- Preheat oven to 170°C. Grease and line a 900g loaf tin.
- In a bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, sugar, and spice. Make a well in the middle, break in the egg, and stir with a wooden spoon, adding a bit of the soaking liquid until you get a wet dough. Fold in the soaked fruit until fully combined.
- Now is the time to hide your ring (and any other fortune-telling trinkets) in the batter, then spoon it into the tin.
- Bake on the middle shelf for an hour until beautifully golden.
- Once cooled, wrap in cling film and foil, and let sit for 1-2 days.
- Serve in slices with butter and our Nothing But Fruit Raspberry Jam for a treat that’s simply to die for!
Ingredients
- 225g plain flour
- 2 tsps baking powder
- 375g packet of mixed fruit
- ½ jar Folláin Whiskey Marmalade
- 150ml cold tea
- 25ml whiskey
- 100g light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ tsp mixed spice
Method
- Place your mixed fruit in a bowl, pour over the whiskey and tea, and stir in Folláin Whiskey Marmalade. Cover and leave to soak overnight.
- Preheat oven to 170°C. Grease and line a 900g loaf tin.
- In a bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, sugar, and spice. Make a well in the middle, break in the egg, and stir with a wooden spoon, adding a bit of the soaking liquid until you get a wet dough. Fold in the soaked fruit until fully combined.
- Now is the time to hide your ring (and any other fortune-telling trinkets) in the batter, then spoon it into the tin.
- Bake on the middle shelf for an hour until beautifully golden.
- Once cooled, wrap in cling film and foil, and let sit for 1-2 days.
- Serve in slices with butter and our Nothing But Fruit Raspberry Jam for a treat that’s simply to die for!
