Barmbrack: Irish tea-soaked fruit bread

Method

1. 1

   Steep the fruit in tea

   Pour strong tea over the dried fruit and leave it to soak until softened. Then allow it to cool, and strain off the liquid.

   60 min
2. 2

   Dry ingredients

   Combine the plain flour, baking powder, soft brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.

   5 min
3. 3

   Make the dough

   Add the egg and grated orange zest to the flour mixture, then fold in the drained fruit and mix to a dough.

   5 min
4. 4

   Fill the tin

   Press the dough into a lined loaf tin, spreading it evenly.

   5 min
5. 5

   Bake

   Bake in a 130°C oven for about 100 to 120 minutes, until the centre is springy to the touch.

   110 min
6. 6

   Cool and serve

   Leave to cool in the tin, then slice and serve spread with butter, with tea.

   10 min