Irish Barmbrack Loaf

 Ingredients

• Makes one 900g loaf
• 225g plain flour
• 2 tsps of baking powder
• 375g of dried mixed fruit
• 250ml cold tea
• 50ml of whiskey
• 125g light brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 tsp of mixed spice 

 Method

1. Place the mixed fruit in a bowl and pour over the whiskey and cold tea. Allow to soak up the liquid overnight.
2. Preheat the oven to 170C/Gas Mark 3, and grease and line a 900g loaf tin.
3. Combine the flour, baking powder, sugar and mixed spice in a mixing bowl. Make a well and break in the egg, and using a wooden spoon mix the egg with the dry ingredients.
4. Add a little bit of the liquid the fruit mix is sitting in and mix it through. You may not need all the liquid – you are looking for a wet dough.
5. Then stir through the fruit mix until everything is thoroughly combined.
6. Spoon the wet dough into the lined loaf tin and place in the oven on the middle shelf and bake for one hour. R
7. emove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before removing from the loaf tin and placing on wire rack.
8. Cover in cling film and tin foil and store in an airtight box for two days before cutting into it.
9. Serve in slices spread with a little butter and nice cup of tea or coffee.