Traditional Halloween Barm Brack

Halloween can be fun. Little kids dressed in the most ridiculous outfits by their parents. Yep, they look really cute now but boy are they gonna need some major therapy in years to come! This unfortunately is not what comes to mind when I think about Halloween. No, the images I conjure up are those of me having to literally RUN from the bus stop to my house when I had finished work on Halloween night.

Why, you may ask was I running home? It wasn't with anticipation and excitement of changing into my costume to go out trick or treating. No, it was mainly to do with the little feckers lying in wait for an unsuspecting innocent like my good self to walk by so they could throw a banger at me. Not a fun task for most people, probably viewed as dangerous in the majority of minds. But for a gang of teenage boys what could be more fun than throwing a lit firework at someone and watching with amusement as it goes off almost causing a coronary, not to mention 3rd degree burns. Oh how they would chuckle at the memories the next day. Hilarious, not! Hence the Nike air max were firmly strapped to my feet and the four minute mile relived every year on the 31st of October.

As I have matured a little, bought a house of my very own and am surrounded by lots of young children the day in question has taken on a slightly sunnier glow for me. I look forward now to seeing my nieces and nephews in the cutest of costumes filling there faces full of e-number packed sweets and candy. Yesterday I was greeted by a very cute 2 year old pussy cat and 1 year old spider complete with all eight legs and googly eyes. Then there is the incessant ringing of the door bell which when answered you are greeted by chants of "Trick or treat, trick or treat, give us something nice to eat, if you don't we don't care, we'll pull down your underwear!" Charming, but when the chanters are ensconced in lady bug, padded super hero or princess costumes you can't help but smile all gooey eyed and load there bags full of scrummy treats.

So while it is fair to say that Halloween is not my favourite holiday of the year it is fast growing on me, and, as it has it's very own cake here in Ireland it is the perfect excuse for me to indulge in my favourite pass time and break out the baking tins and apron. Below you will find a recipe for a delicious Barm Brack which my husband devoured single handed in 2 days flat. The little bite I managed to prise from his hand was deliciously moist and full of flavour, so enjoy, and don't forget to hide a ring inside for someone to find! But don't worry if you don't find the ring inside, I never once got the slice containing that fateful piece of plastic but I am none the less happily married to the most wonderful of men. Awwwwww. Now go get baking. Go on, be off with you!

Barm Brack
Should serve approx 8, serves 1 in this house!

200ml/7floz Strong Tea
150g/5oz Muscovado or Soft Brown Sugar
50ml/2floz Whiskey
300g/10 1/2oz Dried Fruit (sultanas, raisins, currants, candied peel)
1 egg
150g/5oz Plain Flour
1tsp Baking Powder
2tsp Mixed Spice
1tbsp Honey

1. When the tea is warm stir in the sugar. Add the whiskey and the dried fruit and allow to sit overnight.
2. The next day, preheat the oven to 170°C/325°F/Gas Mark 3.
3. Line a 20cm/8in round baking tin with greaseproof paper.
4. Beat the egg and add it into the fruit and tea mixture.
5. Fold in the sieved flour, baking powder and mixed spice.
6. Pour it into the prepared tin and bake for 60-70 minutes. It is cooked when a clean skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
7. While still hot brush with the honey to form a nice glaze and leave to cool in the tin.
8. Serve warm or cold with lashings of butter.