Irish Barm Brack Fruit Loaf Recipe

This traditional Irish Barm Brack, also known as Tea Brack, is a deliciously moist fruit loaf perfect for cozy evenings and special occasions. Unlike many quick breads, this recipe features raisins and currants soaked overnight in tea for intensified flavor. The original brack, made with barm (a mixture of hops and malt), milk, and flour, was a New Year's tradition, with pieces tossed behind the house to ward off poverty! Its unique texture falls somewhere between a loaf and a bread – utterly irresistible. This recipe simplifies the traditional method for modern bakers, resulting in a comforting and flavorful treat.

Prep Time 60 mins
Cook Time 105 mins
Calories 2428.9 kcal
Protein 78g
Rating Be the first
Irish Barm Brack Fruit Loaf 70

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The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Irish Barm Brack Fruit Loaf

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How to Make Irish Barm Brack Fruit Loaf

  1. In a large bowl, combine the raisins, currants, and cold tea. Soak overnight in the refrigerator.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to lift the baked loaf out easily.
  3. In a separate large bowl, dissolve the yeast in 1/4 cup of warm milk (105-115°F). Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
  4. Add the remaining milk, sugars, melted butter, egg, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt to the yeast mixture. Whisk until well combined.
  5. Add the flour gradually to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Gently fold in the soaked raisins and currants with their tea.
  7. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
  8. Bake for approximately 1 hour and 5 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil.
  9. Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Once cooled, slice and serve with butter. Keeps well in an airtight container for several days.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

139 g

Sugar

1404g

Fat

10g

Carbs

189g

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)

Sweets & Sides Desserts European Vegetarian Fall Recipes Holiday Recipes Baking

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

Weeknight Time To Make Course Main Ingredient Cuisine Preparation Occasion Breads Breakfast Lunch Eggs Dairy Fruit Oven European Heirloom Historical Holiday Event Irish Rolls Biscuits Eggs Dietary Brown Bag To Go Equipment Number Of Servings 4 Hours Or Less

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make Irish Barm Brack Fruit Loaf?

Irish Barm Brack Fruit Loaf takes about 165 minutes from start to finish — roughly 60 minutes to prepare and 105 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in Irish Barm Brack Fruit Loaf?

Irish Barm Brack Fruit Loaf has approximately 2428.9 calories per serving, with about 78 g protein, 189 g carbohydrates and 12 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for Irish Barm Brack Fruit Loaf?

The key ingredients for Irish Barm Brack Fruit Loaf are Golden Raisin, Currants, Crystallized Cherries, Candied Peel, Light Brown Sugar, Self Rising Flour. See the full list with measurements above.

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