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Porter Cake

5.0

(2)

This traditional Irish cake uses porter, such as Guinness, Beamish or Murphy's, and is a deliciously rich and moist fruit cake. Make it a few days in advance of the celebratory event (it's perfect for St. Patrick's Day) if you like, and it will improve even more!

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Serves 10 to 12

Ingredients

3 2/3 c (1 lb) all-purpose flour
1 tsp grated or ground nutmeg
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
16 tbsp (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 c (8 oz) light brown sugar
1 lb golden or regular raisins or a mixture of both
3 oz chopped candied peel
2 eggs
One 12-oz bottle of porter or stout

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line the sides and base of an 8-inch high-sided round cake pan (the sides should be about 2 3/4 inches high) with wax paper.

    Step 2

    Sift the flour, nutmeg, pie spice, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Rub in the butter, then stir in the sugar, raisins and the candied peel.

    Step 3

    Whisk the eggs in another bowl, add the porter or stout, then pour into the dry ingredients and mix well. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for about 2 hours in the preheated oven. If it starts to brown too quickly on top, cover it with foil or wax paper after about 1 hour. The cake is cooked when a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow it to sit in the pan for about 20 minutes before turning out and cooling on a wire rack.

Reprinted with permission from Favorite Food at Home: Delicious Comfort Food from Ireland's Most Famous Chef by Rachel Allen, © March 2010 William Morrow Cookbooks
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