Serve with a spread of butter and a wee cup of Irish Tea.
Ingredients
- 225 g dried fruit (raisins, sultanas, currants, candied peel, etc)
- 2 cup strong black tea
- 55 ml milk, lukewarm (110-115°f)
- active dry yeast -1 (1/4-ounce) package
- 2 tsp sugar
- 300 g plain flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/3 cup butter (unsalted, softened)
- 1 tsp salt
Method
- Place the tea and dried fruit in a bowl and let soak for at least one hour, preferably overnight.
- Mix the yeast, warm milk and 2 teaspoons of sugar together in a small bowl and set aside for 5-10 minutes to activate the yeast.
- In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar and spices. Make a well in the center of the flour and add the yeast mixture, beaten egg, butter and salt.
- Stir with a wooden spoon to mix the ingredients and bring the dough together.
- Add a little more flour if the dough is too wet or a little more milk if it is too dry.
- Remove the dough to a floured work surface and knead for 5-10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth but still a little sticky.
- Drain the dried fruit and knead a little at a time into the dough until all the fruit has been incorporated.
- Remove the dough to a large, lightly buttered bowl. Cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap and set in a warm corner until doubled in size, about 1-1.5 hours.
- Remove the dough to a lightly floured work surface and punch down to deflate. Knead lightly for 2-3 minutes. Form into a ball and placed in a buttered 7-8-inch cake pan. Cover with a towel or plastic wrap and let rise again until doubled in size, 30-60 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400°F. This makes one 7-8-inch round loaf.
- Place the loaf in the oven and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until top is browned and sounds hollow when tapped. Remove to a rack and cool.
- Serve with a spread of butter and a wee cup of Irish Tea.
