Barmbrack

The Traditional Irish Barm Brack

As the first week of October beckons upon us, another holiday season is just around the corner.  From the kids trick or treating to the adults baking treats for the family, we have decided to give our readers a delicious traditional Irish barmbrack recipe that will no doubt spice up your Halloween!

One of our stocklists, Hickeys Bakery who stock our own Beeswax Food Wraps, have been producing beautiful Barmbracks since the 1900s! 

 

ENTER COMPETITION TO WIN BREAD WRAP AND HICKEYS FAMOUS BARMBRACK

irish barmbrack

Barmbrack is a yeast bread that is typically added with flour, sultanas, and raisins. Did you know the recipe originated in Ireland? At Halloween, people tend to place a ring in the centre of the bread. It is thought that the person who finds the ring will be wed within the year!

Irish chef Donal Skehan has kindly let us share his delicious Barmbrack recipe. You can check out his website for more wonderful recipes here. 

Barmbrack

Barmbrack Ingredients:

Makes one 900g loaf

1) 225g plain flour

2) 2 tsps of baking powder

3) 375g packet of fruit mix

4) 250ml cold tea

5) 50ml of whiskey

6) 125g light brown sugar

7) 1 large eggs

8) 1/2 tsp of mixed spice

9) A ring to place inside

Barmbrack

Method:

  1. Place the fruit mix in a bowl and pour over the whiskey and cold tea. 
  2. Preheat the oven to 170˚C/327°/Gas Mark 3 and grease and line a 900g loaf tin. Combine the flour, baking powder, sugar and mixed spice in a mixing bowl. Make a well and break in the egg, using a wooden spoon, mix the egg with the dry ingredients. Add a little bit of the liquid the fruit mix is sitting in and mix it through. You may not need all the liquid, you are looking for a wet dough. Then stir through the fruit mix until everything is thoroughly combined.
  3. Add in the ring and stir through. Spoon the wet dough into the lined loaf tin and place in the oven on the middle shelf and bake for 1 hour. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before removing from the loaf tin and placing on wire rack.
  4. Allow to cool then cover and allow to sit for 1-2 days before cutting into it. Serve in slices spread with a little butter and good cuppa!

Why not try our Beeswax Food Wrap to cover your barmbrack? Our wraps are an organic, reusable substitute to clingfilm that will also keep your bread and cakes fresher for longer! We recommend our Large Beeswax Bread Wrap for the barmbrack recipe! Currently, our large beeswax bread wraps are on discount. You can purchase a single bread wrap for €20, or buy two packs and get 3% off, as well as three packs for 5% off!

 

October 04, 2022 — Jennifer Doyle
Autumn_tablesetting

Home Inspiration: A beautiful Autumn table setting

Looking for inspiration to decorate your table this Autumn?

We are delighted to team up with talented designer and stylist Sarah from Retwiggd to bring you an Autumn table setting. Sarah created the most beautifully styled table using Millbee's beeswax candles, organic napkins, flowers from her garden, old bottles, and vintage pots.

autumn_fall_tablescape

The warm Autumn colours add a lovely cozy ambiance to the table. 

Sarah's Masterclass 

Shortly after Sarah styled her table using Millbee's products I watched her give a masterclass for Inside Out Homeshow - an online home, garden and lifestyle event supporting charity FRIENDS OF THE COOMBE.

So here's what I learned:

1. Mix & Match. For me this is both practical and looks beautiful. You can create an eclectic look with vintage jars, crockery and basically just use what you have. Sarah moved around pieces then stood back to see if they looked right. It's good to take a bit of time to set the table. Perhaps treat it as a ritual!

2. Create Symmetry. When you place everything on the table observe them against each other.  Do some pieces look too big or tall? Using smaller vases is a good idea if you don't want to obstruct people's view sitting across from each other.

3. Color. It's good to have a color scheme in mind. Flowers, candles or squashes are ideal for creating a beautiful warm  Autumnal color scheme. 

4. Texture. When it comes to design and styling I always try to consider texture especially because we're all about nature here in Millbee. I loved to see Sarah break away from the traditional tablecloth and leave the wooden table exposed. You can add layers and texture using table-mats, a table runner or napkins.  She also shared some creative techniques on how to fold napkins. 

autumn_fall_tablescape

Millbee's organic cotton and hemp napkins

 Autumn_tablesetting

If you would like to get started on creating a seasonal display or gift to your favorite food lover we have 5% OFF Millbee's Food Lovers Giftset - Use the code TABLE5

October 27, 2021 — Jennifer Doyle