Barmbrack, or Bairín Breac in Irish, is a beloved fruit-filled tea bread traditionally eaten during Halloween in Ireland. It’s more than just a tasty treat—Barmbrack is steeped in Irish folklore and customs, often containing hidden charms that predict the future of the lucky (or unlucky) finder!
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Childhood Memories
I have fond memories of homemade Barmbrack. Every Halloween, we gathered around the kitchen table, dunking for apples and eagerly awaiting a slice of my mum’s freshly baked Barmbrack. It wasn't just the deliciously moist fruit-filled bread that made it special, but also the excitement of finding hidden charms inside. The ring was always the most sought-after charm, promising the finder a future marriage!
Today, I’m sharing a vegan twist on this classic, inspired by those childhood memories. This Vegan Irish Barmbrack is perfect for Halloween, offering a slice of tradition with a plant-based spin.
The Tradition of Barmbrack and Halloween in Ireland
Halloween in Ireland goes back over 2,000 years to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and the start of winter. During Samhain, it was believed that the boundary between the living and the dead was thinnest, allowing spirits to roam the earth. To ward off evil spirits and celebrate the harvest, bonfires were lit, and various rituals were performed.
Barmbrack became an integral part of Halloween celebrations in Ireland, and it wasn’t just a snack—it was a fortune-telling tool! Hidden inside the loaf were small charms, each representing different futures for the person who found them:
- A ring: The person would be married within the year.
- A coin: They would enjoy good fortune.
- A piece of cloth: Hardship or poverty was predicted.
- A pea: They would remain unmarried.
This tradition still lives on today, with many store-bought Barmbracks including a hidden ring.
Apple Dunking
Growing up in Ireland, Halloween was always an exciting time. We dunked for apples, dressed in costumes, and gathered around to enjoy a slice of Barmbrack. I’ll never forget the anticipation as we sliced into the loaf, wondering who would find the ring. My mum's Barmbrack was packed with juicy fruit, soaked in tea overnight, and served warm with a generous spread of butter. The rich flavors and textures still remind me of those cozy autumn evenings.
Now, I’ve adapted this traditional recipe to make it vegan-friendly, while keeping it just as flavorful and moist as I remember.
Vegan Irish Barmbrack Recipe Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 400 g Dried Fruit Mix
- 280 ml Black Tea
- 340 g Flour
- 100 g Sugar
- 1 Tsp Mixed Spice
- 135 g Apple Sauce (Homemade is best)
Instructions:
- Soak the Fruit: Place the mixed dried fruit in a bowl and pour over the strong tea. Cover and let it soak overnight to plump up the fruit. If you're short on time, gently simmer the fruit and tea in a saucepan for about 5 minutes—just be careful not to let the tea evaporate too much. Let it cool completely.
- Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the self-raising flour, mixed spice, and brown sugar.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: Stir the soaked fruit (and any remaining liquid), brown sugar, and apple sauce into the dry ingredients. Mix until fully combined.
- Add the Lucky Charm (Optional): If you want to follow tradition, wrap a ring or other charms in parchment paper and fold them into the batter.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 170°C (340°F). Line a 2lb loaf tin with parchment paper and lightly grease it. Pour the mixture into the tin, smoothing the top. Bake for 60-80 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top begins to brown too quickly, cover it loosely with foil.
Step-By-Step Pictures
1: Make an apple sauce by cooking peeled and chopped apples with a splash of water until soft
2: Soak the fruits in strong black tea overnight
3: Sieve the flour and spices into a bowl
4: Add the apple puree and soaked dried fruits (take the tea bag out!)
5: Mix gently until everything is incorporated
6: Add the mix to the baking tin and smoothen out the top. You can now add some luck charms wrapped in parchment paper.
Step 7: Bake for 60-80 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 8: Allow the Barmbrack to cool in the tin for about 30 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack.
Vegan Irish Barmbrack: A Modern Twist on an Old Favorite
This Vegan Irish Barmbrack brings a taste of Ireland’s traditions with a plant-based twist. Filled with warming spices and sweet fruits, it’s perfect for Halloween or any cozy moment.
Serve warm with vegan butter, jam, and a cup of tea. Enjoy!
More baking recipes to try
We hope you enjoy this recipe. Let us know how it works out for you in the comments sections below.
📋 Recipe
Vegan Irish Barmbrack | Báirín Breac
Equipment
- 1 Weighing scales
- 2 Mixing bowl
- 1 Sieve
- 1 Spatula
- Loaf tin or cake tin
Ingredients
- 400 g Dried Fruit Mix raisins, currants, cranberries
- 280 ml Black Tea
- 340 g Self-raising flour
- 100 g Brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Mixed spice
- 135 g Apple sauce
Instructions
- Assemble and measure all ingredients.
- Boil the water and make tea with two teabags. Remove teabags and add fruit. Soak overnight or for at least 2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4
- Add dry ingredients: Self-raising flour and mixed spice to a bowl and sieve into the soaked fruits. Add the brown sugar and fold everything together gently.
- Pour into a lined and greased loaf tin.
- At this stage, you can add some 'clean' coins or ring!
- Bake for 60-90 minutes. Check it is cooked with a skewer inserted in the middle, it is cooked when the skewer is clean. (Cover with tinfoil if the top is browning too much)
- Let cool for 30 minutes then turn out of tin.
- Serve spread with vegan butter and a seasonal fruit jam!
Thara says
Delicious and easy to make 😋