Bairín Breac (Irish-Style Tea Bread) | Saveur

Step 1

Instructions

Step 2

In a medium bowl, mix together the dried fruit, tea and brown sugar. Cover and set aside to soak at room temperature overnight. Preheat the oven (with one of its racks positioned in the bottom third) to 300°F. Butter two 9- by 5-inch loaf tins, line each with parchment paper, and set aside. In a large bowl, stir together the eggs and the reserved fruit-and-tea mixture. Into a second large bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, allspice, cinnamon, and cloves. Using a silicone spatula or wooden spoon, fold the dry ingredients into the egg-and-fruit mixture just until combined. Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared loaf tins, then transfer to the oven and bake until the bread is dark brown and a skewer inserted in the center comes out, about 50 minutes. Cool for a few minutes in the pans, then use the parchment lining to lift the loaves out to finish cooling on a wire rack. Serve warm, at room temperature, or toasted with salted butter, if desired.