What is Tea Brack?
Tea Brack is a traditional Irish bread recipe, full of delicious dried fruit, that is typically served with a generous helping of butter. It is a type of soda bread, which means it is quick and easy to make and does not require any rising time. Tea Brack is a typical feature at Irish tea parties, and is also great for breakfast, lunch or as a snack. It is a delicious, moist bread that is sure to go down a treat with your friends and family.
Ingredients
You will need the following ingredients to make your Tea Brack: 8 ounces of mixed dried fruit, such as raisins, currants and sultanas; 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon of ground mixed spice; 1 teaspoon of baking soda; 1/2 cup of brown sugar; 1 cup of buttermilk; 1/2 cup of melted butter; 2 cups of plain flour; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Instructions
To make your Tea Brack, preheat your oven to 350°F and line a 9-inch springform cake tin with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, combine the dried fruit, cinnamon, mixed spice, baking soda and brown sugar and mix thoroughly. In a separate bowl, mix together the buttermilk, melted butter, flour, egg and vanilla extract until a smooth batter is formed. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared tin and bake for 45 minutes until golden brown. A skewer inserted into the center of the cake should come out clean. Leave the Tea Brack to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve your Tea Brack with a generous helping of butter and enjoy!
Nutrition
This Tea Brack recipe makes 12 servings, and each serving contains approximately 240 calories, 10.6 grams of fat, 34.8 grams of carbohydrates and 3.2 grams of protein. It is also a good source of calcium, iron, potassium and dietary fiber. While this recipe is a great treat, it should be enjoyed in moderation.
Tips and Tricks
When preparing the batter for your Tea Brack, be sure not to overmix as this can lead to a tough, dense cake. Also, you can adjust the amount of dried fruit to suit your taste. If you prefer a sweeter cake, add more dried fruit, and if you prefer a less sweet cake, reduce the amount of dried fruit.
If you want to add a little something extra to your Tea Brack, you can top it with some demerara sugar before baking. This will give it a delicious crunchy topping. You can also substitute the buttermilk with plain yogurt or sour cream. This will make the cake slightly denser, but still delicious.
Serving Suggestions
Tea Brack is best served warm with a generous helping of butter, or even a dollop of cream. It is also delicious served with jam or marmalade. If you have some leftovers, you can store your Tea Brack in an airtight container and it will keep for up to five days. You can also freeze it for up to three months.
Conclusion
Tea Brack is a delicious, traditional Irish bread recipe that is easy to make and sure to be a hit with your friends and family. With its rich, fruity flavor, it is perfect for breakfast, lunch or as a snack. So why not give this classic recipe a try and let us know what you think in the comments section below?
Leave a Reply