Kokova Magazine

With Halloween fast approaching - along with the cold, dark nights - we think that baking is the perfect trick to scaring away those winter blues.

But instead of a Pumpkin Pie or Candy Apple recipe, we have hopped 'over the water' to bring you a recipe from Ireland and the custom of baking a Barm Brack (báirín breac).

Halloween brings about a host of parties and trick-or-treating, with pumpkins being carved into jack-o'-lanterns - as well as bonfires, apple bobbing and watching horror films.

This light fruitcake is perfect for any occasion and has a few added ingredients - amongst which are a plain ring and a coin. Add them to the cake by wrapping each 'gift' item in grease proof paper. You can add your own charms. It is said that those who find the ring will find their true love in the coming year.

In the days before individual bags for tea, this was a great recipe for using the left-over tea in the pot.

Ingredients

• 1 lb flour
• 6 oz sugar
• 1 lb mixed dried fruit
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp all spice/mixed spice
• Pot of warm Irish tea
• Lucky 'gifts'

Procedure

• Place the dried fruit in a bowl and cover with the tea (leave to soak overnight).
• Wrap each 'gift' item in greaseproof paper.
• Add the sugar and egg to the soaked fruit mix
• Sift in the remaining dry ingredients and mix gently. Take care not to over mix the softened fruit.
• Pour mixture into a 7" round baking tin and carefully sink in the 'gift' parcels.
• Bake on gas mark 4 (176°C / 350°F) for approx. 80 minutes until cooked through evenly.
• Cool on a wire rack.

To test if the cake is cooked through - use a thin knife and carefully insert it half-way down into the center of the cake. It will come out either clean or with only a few crumbs clinging to it (if cooked) or covered in wet mixture (uncooked).