Tea brack is a traditional Irish fruitcake that is moist, flavorful, and often enjoyed with a cup of tea. It’s made with tea-soaked dried fruits, which give it a lovely texture and sweetness. Here’s a simple recipe for making tea brack, along with suggestions for serving it with butter.
Tea Brack Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups (480ml) strong brewed tea (black tea works well)
- 1 cup (150g) mixed dried fruits (e.g., raisins, sultanas, currants)
- 1/2 cup (75g) chopped dried apricots or dates (optional)
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Tea and Soak the Fruits:
- Brew a strong cup of tea and let it cool slightly. In a bowl, combine the dried fruits and pour the warm tea over them. Allow the mixture to soak for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight. This helps to plump the fruits and infuse the tea flavor.
2. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a loaf pan (approximately 9×5 inches) with parchment paper.
3. Mix the Batter:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the soaked fruit mixture (including the tea), sugar, ground cinnamon, baking soda, flour, egg, and vanilla extract (if using). Mix until just combined. The batter will be quite thick.
4. Bake the Brack:
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake in the preheated oven for about 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
5. Cool:
- Once baked, remove the brack from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Serve:
- Once cooled, slice the tea brack and serve it with butter. The rich, creamy butter complements the sweetness of the brack beautifully.
Tips for Serving
- Butter: Spread a generous layer of butter on each slice for a delicious treat. You can use regular butter or try flavored butters, such as honey butter or cinnamon butter.
- Storage: Store any leftover tea brack in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. It can also be wrapped tightly and frozen for longer storage.
- Variations: Feel free to experiment with different dried fruits, such as cranberries, figs, or cherries, to customize the flavor to your liking.
Enjoy your homemade tea brack with a cup of tea for a delightful snack or dessert!