Irish Tea Loaf Recipe (Barmbrack Style)

Dried mixed fruit: A combination of raisins, sultanas, currants, and sometimes candied peel, providing a sweet and chewy texture.

Strong tea: Brewed and cooled, this adds moisture and a subtle tea flavor to the loaf.

Self-raising flour: Flour that includes baking powder and salt, helping the loaf to rise.

Mixed spice: A blend of spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, adding warmth and depth of flavor.

Brown sugar: Adds sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor.

Beaten egg: Helps bind the ingredients together and adds richness.

To ensure your dried mixed fruit absorbs maximum flavor, make sure the tea is strong and has cooled completely before soaking the fruit overnight. This will allow the fruit to plump up and become juicy, adding extra moisture and taste to your Irish tea loaf. Additionally, when combining the soaked fruit with the dry ingredients, gently fold them together to avoid breaking the fruit pieces, ensuring an even distribution throughout the batter.

• dried mixed fruit - Substitute with raisins and currants: Raisins and currants provide a similar texture and sweetness, making them a good alternative.

• cooled strong tea - Substitute with coffee: Coffee can impart a rich, deep flavor similar to tea, though it will alter the taste slightly.

• self-raising flour - Substitute with all-purpose flour and baking powder: Use 225 g of all-purpose flour mixed with 2 teaspoon of baking powder to mimic self-raising flour.

• mixed spice - Substitute with pumpkin pie spice: Pumpkin pie spice contains similar spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, making it a suitable replacement.

• brown sugar - Substitute with white sugar and molasses: Mix 125 g of white sugar with 1 tablespoon of molasses to replicate the flavor and moisture of brown sugar.

• beaten egg - Substitute with flaxseed meal and water: Combine 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoon of water to create a vegan egg substitute that provides binding and moisture.

• To keep your Irish tea loaf fresh, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This will help maintain its moisture and prevent it from drying out.
• Store the wrapped loaf in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. This adds an extra layer of protection against air and moisture.
• Keep the container at room temperature if you plan to consume the loaf within a few days. The loaf should stay fresh for up to 4 days.
• For longer storage, place the wrapped loaf in the refrigerator. This will extend its shelf life to about a week. Make sure the loaf is well-wrapped to prevent it from absorbing any fridge odors.
• If you want to freeze the Irish tea loaf, first wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Then, place the wrapped loaf in a freezer-safe bag or container.
• Label the freezer bag with the date to keep track of its storage time. The Irish tea loaf can be frozen for up to 3 months.
• When you're ready to enjoy the frozen loaf, let it thaw at room temperature for a few hours. For a quicker option, you can also thaw it in the microwave on a low setting.
• To refresh the loaf after thawing, you can warm it in a preheated oven at 150°C (300°F) for about 10 minutes. This will help restore its freshly-baked texture.
• If you prefer individual servings, slice the Irish tea loaf before freezing. Place pieces of parchment paper between each slice to prevent them from sticking together. This way, you can easily grab a slice or two without defrosting the entire loaf.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 150°C (300°F).
  2. Wrap the Irish tea loaf in aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out.
  3. Place the wrapped loaf on a baking tray.
  4. Heat in the oven for about 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.
  5. Remove from the oven, unwrap, and let it sit for a few minutes before slicing.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Slice the Irish tea loaf into individual servings.
  2. Place a slice on a microwave-safe plate.
  3. Cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
  4. Microwave on medium power for 20-30 seconds.
  5. Check the temperature and heat for an additional 10 seconds if necessary.

• Toaster Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your toaster oven to 150°C (300°F).
  2. Slice the Irish tea loaf into individual servings.
  3. Place the slices on a baking tray.
  4. Heat for about 5-7 minutes or until warmed through.
  5. Remove from the toaster oven and let it cool slightly before enjoying.

• Steaming Method:

  1. Slice the Irish tea loaf into individual servings.
  2. Place the slices in a steamer basket.
  3. Bring a pot of water to a gentle simmer.
  4. Place the steamer basket over the simmering water.
  5. Cover and steam for about 5 minutes or until warmed through.
  6. Remove from the steamer and let it cool slightly before serving.

• Loaf pan: A baking pan specifically designed for baking bread or loaf cakes, ensuring even cooking and easy removal.

• Mixing bowl: A large bowl used to combine ingredients thoroughly.

• Wooden spoon: A sturdy spoon ideal for mixing the batter without overworking it.

• Measuring jug: A container used to measure liquids accurately, such as the cooled strong tea.

• Measuring spoons: Tools used to measure small quantities of ingredients like mixed spice.

• Kitchen scale: A device to measure the weight of ingredients like flour, sugar, and dried mixed fruit accurately.

• Wire rack: A cooling rack that allows air to circulate around the baked loaf, helping it cool evenly.

• Greaseproof paper: Used to line the loaf pan to prevent the tea loaf from sticking.

• Skewer: A thin, pointed tool used to test if the loaf is baked through by inserting it into the center.

• Oven: The appliance used to bake the tea loaf at the specified temperature.

Soak the fruit in advance: Prepare the dried mixed fruit and tea the night before to save time on the day of baking.

Pre-measure ingredients: Measure out the self-raising flour, mixed spice, and brown sugar ahead of time and store them in separate containers.

Use parchment paper: Line the loaf pan with parchment paper for easy removal and less cleanup.

Quick egg beating: Beat the egg in a small bowl before starting the mixing process to streamline the steps.

Preheat the oven early: Turn on the oven to preheat while you mix the ingredients to save waiting time.