Bread with dried fruits - BARMBRACK

Fruit Bread - Barmbrack

Barmbrack is a traditional Irish recipe for fruit bread, perfect for enjoying at breakfast or as a delicious dessert. This recipe offers a wonderful combination of flavors and textures, and the caramelized fruits add a touch of sweetness that will delight anyone. In this version, we will use tea to rehydrate the dried fruits, which will enhance their flavor and make the bread moister. Let's get started!

Total preparation time: 2 hours
Soaking time: 1 hour (preferably overnight)
Baking time: 1 hour
Number of servings: 12

Ingredients:
- 300 g dried fruits (a mix of raisins, dates, and dried apricots)
- 250 ml hot tea (preferably black tea)
- 50 g butter (melted)
- 100 g brown sugar
- 1 egg (beaten)
- 300 g all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt

Preparation:
1. Start by preparing the dried fruits. Place them in a bowl and pour the hot tea over them. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let them soak for at least an hour. Ideally, leave them overnight; this step will allow the fruits to absorb the flavors of the tea, giving them a richer consistency.

2. After the fruits have soaked, preheat the oven to 180°C and grease a baking pan with butter or line it with parchment paper.

3. In a large bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. These dry ingredients will form the base of your bread. Cinnamon adds a warm and comforting flavor, but you can omit it if you prefer a simpler version.

4. In another bowl, mix the melted butter and beaten egg, then add the dried fruit mixture, including the liquid they soaked in. Combine all the wet ingredients well.

5. Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and mix with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Do not overmix, as this will result in a dense bread.

6. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and level the surface with a spatula. You can add some dried fruits on top for a more attractive appearance.

7. Bake the bread in the preheated oven for about 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The bread should be golden and have a delicious aroma when nearly done.

8. Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Serving:
Barmbrack is served warm or at room temperature, sliced. It is delicious on its own, but you can also add butter or fruit jam for extra flavor. A unique suggestion is to serve it alongside a cup of tea to complete the tasting experience.

Variations:
You can experiment with different combinations of dried fruits, such as figs, cranberries, or candied cherries. You can also add chopped nuts for extra crunch or a splash of rum to enhance the flavors.

This barmbrack recipe is simple yet full of flavor and perfect for any occasion. Enjoy each slice and savor its unique flavors!

 Ingredients: infusion from 2 bags of English tea and 300 ml of hot water, 350 g of dried fruits, 500 g of flour, 240 ml of milk, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 50 g of yeast, 25 g of brown sugar, 75 g of unsalted butter, salt, 1 beaten egg, 1 teaspoon of mixed spice.