Irish Raisin Bread Recipe - Easy Traditional Barmbrack Fruit Loaf (2024)

Irish Raisin Bread Recipe – How to make an Easy Traditional Fruit and Cinnamon Irish Barmbrack Loaf Tea Cake without yeast – with the video tutorial.

Irish Raisin Bread

This easy Irish Raisin Bread is my version of the traditional fruit loaf known as Barmbrack which is a comforting Irish baked treat.

Barmbrack is often served at Halloween in Ireland, the loaf being decorated for the occasion and containing a hidden item, such as a ring or coin, baked into the bread. Read about it here. You could also make the delicious recipe for a St. Patrick’s Day feast.

I’ve lived in Ireland for almost 4 years now and have tried all kinds of Barmbrack, Traditional Irish Soda Bread, Tea Bread and other quick bread varieties.

Each being packed full of fruit, simple ingredients and perfectly spiced with either mixed spice or, my preference, infused with comforting cinnamon.

The recipe is adapted from a recipe for Tea Brack, with the original recipe including a bag of fruit mix and more sugar than my version, as I prefer a slight sweetness in the homemade bread.

I just prefer all raisins in a bread like this, but you can feel free to swap for sultanas or any fruit mix you like.

Or, you could swap about 100g/3.5 ounces of the plump raisins for chopped nuts such as walnuts, almonds, caraway seeds or pecans for a nutty fruity loaf. You can also add in grated orange zest, lemon juice or lemon zest for even more fruity flavor.

For the tea, you can use whatever tea you usually enjoy. I’m not much of a traditional tea drinker, but usually have dandelion tea in my cupboard, which is what I used in this instance.

I’ve used baking powder as the raising agent, as opposed to baking soda or bicarbonate of soda, which is often used as a leavening agent for the chemical reaction in an easy Irish soda bread recipe.

How To Make Irish Barmbrack

This simple bread takes two days to actually make, but don’t let that overwhelm you because on day one all you have to do is soak the raisins.

Pop all of the raisins into a large bowl then pour over cold tea. I tend to make up the required amount of tea in a small pyrex jug, then let it cool completely before pouring over the bowl of raisins.

Leave the raisins overnight to soak up all of the tea goodness, then you can get baking the following day.

When you’re ready to bake, it’s just a matter or preheating the oven, getting a loaf pan lined with well greased baking paper and then getting on with making the batter.

To the tea soaked juicy raisins, add in the egg, then the dry ingredients of sugar, sieved plain flour, white flour or whole wheat flour, baking powder and cinnamon.

Then, just give it a good stir with a wooden spoon until you have a smooth bread batter.

Pour the bread batter into the prepared baking tin, you can feel free to sprinkle top of the dough with more raisins, and bake for 50 minutes to an hour, or until the top of the bread is beautifully golden and cooked through. Remove from the oven, allow to cool in the baking tin, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Ideally, the baked bread should be wrapped in parchment paper and stored in an airtight container for a couple of days before cutting into it. This allows for the flavors to develop and enhance.

I’m rarely patient enough and can’t resist a freshly baked slice, slathered in fresh Irish butter. You can enjoy the good recipe as healthy breakfasts or afternoon teas with your favorite jam.

Irish Raisin Bread Recipe

• 350g/12.34oz Raisins
• 300ml Cold Tea
• 1 Egg, Whisked
• 100g/3.5oz Sugar
• 225g/8oz Plain Flour
• 2 teaspoons Baking Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

1. Place the raisins in a large mixing bowl and pour over the cold tea.
2. Stir well to combine, ensuring that the raisins are completely submerged in the tea, cover the bowl and allow to soak at room temperature overnight.
3. The next day, preheat the oven to 170C/325F and line a loaf tin or baking dish with well greased baking parchment paper.
4. Add the whisked egg and sugar to the soaked raisins and stir well to combine.
5. Sieve the flour and baking powder over the batter, add the cinnamon and stir well until you have a smooth bread batter.
6. Pour the bread batter into the prepared loaf tin and then bake for 50 minutes to an hour, or until golden and cooked through.
7. Allow to cool completely before removing from the tin, wrap in parchment paper or plastic wrap and store in an airtight container. Ideally wait 2 days before cutting into the bread with a sharp knife, to allow for the flavors to develop, then enjoy within a week.

Traditional Irish Bread Recipe Video

Here’s the video where you can watch the easy recipe being prepared, step by step. Hit play below or click here to watch on YouTube.

More Irish Inspired Recipes

Irish Cream Chocolate Mousse

Irish Scrambled Eggs

Disclaimer – this post is meant for informational post only and should not be construed as medical advice. Please consult with your health professional before making any dietary changes.

Disclosure – this post contains affiliate links.