1/2 lb. brown sugar
1 lb. sultanas
1 tsp. mixed spice
1 tsp. ground cloves

Steep the above ingredients overnight in a cupful of strong tea.

Add to the mixture:

1 well-beaten egg
1/2 lb. self-rising flour

Turn into a well-oiled loaf tin and bake at 350 Deg. F. one hour and ten minutes.

Yeast Barm Brack #2

This recipe is for a traditional current bread in the shape of a round cake.

1/2 cup lukewarm milk
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. yeast
2 cups plain flour
1 tsp. mixed spice
pinch of salt
1 egg, beaten
3 Tbsp. butter
2 cups mixed dried fruit (currants, sultanas, raisins, candied peel)
2 Tbsp. sugar

Soak the dried fruit in strong black tea before use, at least two hours.

Method

Set oven to 400 deg. F. Mix the yeast and the teaspoon of sugar and combine into the milk. Allow to rise. Sift the flour with the 2 Tbsp. sugar and the spices and rub in the butter. Make a well in the center and add the yeast and the egg. Beat with a wooden spoon for about ten minutes until a dough forms. The fruit and salt is now worked in by hand, and the whole should be kneaded. Put the bowl of dough in a warm place (covered with a cloth) for about an hour until the mixture rises and doubles in size. Knead lightly and place in greased 7 inch diameter cake pan. Allow a further 30 minutes rising. Bake near the top of the oven for 45 minutes.

Copyright © 1997-2004 Suzanne Barrett and licensors. All rights reserved.