Barm Brack

According to an email I got from a reader in Dublin, Ireland, Barm Brack "...is a Halloween recipe, and should contain a ring wrapped in greaseproof paper, which is carefully avoided by whoever is cutting the brack for tea on Halloween, so that somebody can find it in their slice. Finding the ring is supposed to mean that you will be married within the year."

Prep Time: 24 hours, 00 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2-1/2 cups mixed dried fruit (currants, raisins, dates etc.)
• 1 cup boiling black tea
• 1 egg, slighly beaten
• 1 teaspoon mixed spice*
• 4 teaspoons orange marmalade
• 1-1/3 cup superfine sugar**
• 2-1/2 cups self-rising flour

Preparation:

Soak the fruit in the hot tea overnight.

The next day - Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 7 or 8-inch square pan. Add remaining ingredients to soaked fruit and mix well. Pour into prepared pan and back for 1-1/2 hours. Let cool in pan on wire rack. Slice and serve buttered with a cup of tea.

*Mixed Spice
**If you can't get Superfine Sugar, just use granulated sugar.