Barmbrack

The traditional Halloween barmbrack was a fun way to tell someone's fortune for the coming year. As a child, I remember inside each brack would be a pea, a stick, a piece of cloth, a small coin and a ring. Each item was individually wrapped in greaseproof paper, as each would carry a meaning; the pea, the person would not marry. The stick, the person would have a year of disputes. The cloth, the person would be poor. The coin, the person would be rich. The ring, the person would be wed before the following Halloween. Most shop-bought bracks still come with a ring inside, but if you're baking your own this Halloween, just for fun, add the extra 'fortunes' but ensure each one is well wrapped with greaseproof paper and to avoid any chipped teeth always let the brack-eater know of these additions.

Barmbrack

Ingredients

200g sultanas

150g raisins

25g mixed peel

300ml tea, cold

250g self-raising flour

125g caster sugar

1 tsp mixed spice

1 egg, lightly beaten

Method

1. Place the dried fruit into a bowl. Pour over the cold tea. Cover with cling film and leave to soak overnight.
2. Preheat the oven to 180°C/ fan 160°C/gas mark 4. Line the base of a 2 lb loaf tin with parchment paper and grease the sides with a little butter.
3. Sieve the flour into the bowl with the soaked fruit. Add the sugar, spice and lightly beaten egg. Using a wooden spoon, stir well to combine.
4. If using the 'fortune teller' items, tightly wrap each one in greaseproof paper and carefully add to the mixture.
5. Transfer to the loaf tin, and place in the preheated oven for 1 1/2 – 1 3/4 hours, or until the brack has risen well and is cooked through.
6. Cool on a wire rack. When cold, cut into slices and spread each with a thin layer of butter.