Barm Brack (Irish Whiskey Tea Loaf)

May 11, 2023May 11, 20230 4

Traditional Irish recipe for Barm Brack (Irish Whiskey Tea Loaf)

by The Chefin Baking

Prep

40 min

Cook

1 hr 15 min

Ready In

1 hr 55 min

Level

Easy

Rating

Ingredients

	1 1/2 pints strong brewed tea ( or half strong tea and half irish wiskey I prefer the half and half method )
	1 lb golden raisin
	1 lb black raisins
	1 lb brown sugar
	1 lb all-purpose flour
	3 teaspoons baking powder
	3 eggs
	6 tablespoons honey , melted ( I use huckleberry honey for mine )

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe

10-12

Calories

400

Sugar

50g

Fat

Barm Brack is a traditional Irish bread, typically served around Halloween and enjoyed with a cup of tea. It's a sweet bread made with black and gold raisins soaked in tea (or tea and whiskey) and baked until moist and flavorful. It's said that objects are baked into the bread, and their presence in a slice predicts the future for the person who finds them - a ring for marriage, a coin for wealth, a pea for no marriage, and a stick for an unhappy marriage. Whether or not you believe in the predictive powers of Barm Brack, it's a tasty and beloved treat in Irish culture.

Instructions

1.	Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare a loaf tin by spraying it with non-stick spray or lining it with parchment paper.
2.	In a large bowl, combine the strong tea (or half tea and half Irish whiskey), golden raisins, black raisins, and brown sugar. Let sit for at least 30 minutes to an hour to allow the fruit to plump up.
3.	In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder.
4.	Beat in the eggs and melted honey into the fruit mixture, followed by the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
5.	Pour the batter into the prepared loaf tin and bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
6.	Let the Barm Brack cool in the tin for about 10-15 minutes before removing it to cool completely on a wire rack.

PROS

Barm Brack is a flavorful and moist tea loaf, perfect with butter or jam.

The addition of Irish whiskey gives it a unique and delicious taste.

It’s relatively easy to make and can be enjoyed as a snack or dessert.

CONS

Barm Brack is high in sugar and calories, so it should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

The whiskey in the recipe makes it unsuitable for children or those avoiding alcohol.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

While Barm Brack is not particularly healthy, it does contain dried fruit which is high in fiber and antioxidants.
The tea in the recipe also contains antioxidants and has been linked to boosting heart health and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.