Certainly! Traditional Irish Pumpkin Brack, often simply referred to as “Brack,” is a delicious and classic Irish fruitcake-like bread. It’s a popular treat, especially during Halloween and the autumn season. Below, I’ll provide you with a detailed explanation of what it is, its history, its components, the steps to prepare it, and an estimate of the time needed for preparation.
What is Traditional Irish Pumpkin Brack?
Traditional Irish Pumpkin Brack is a type of sweet bread or cake made with dried fruits and spices. While the traditional brack is made without pumpkin, I can provide you with a modified version that incorporates pumpkin for a delightful twist.
History:
Brack has been a part of Irish culinary traditions for centuries, and it’s closely associated with Halloween customs. In the past, various items like a ring, a coin, or a pea were baked into the brack, and whoever found these items in their slice would have different fortunes in the coming year. It’s a delightful treat enjoyed by families during Halloween celebrations.
Components:
For a Pumpkin Brack, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- 1 cup mixed dried fruits (raisins, currants, and sultanas)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Steps to Prepare Traditional Irish Pumpkin Brack:
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a round cake tin or a loaf pan.
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In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Set this dry mixture aside.
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In another bowl, beat the eggs and brown sugar until well combined and slightly frothy.
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Add the melted butter, pumpkin puree, milk, and vanilla extract to the egg mixture. Stir until smooth.
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Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and fold gently until all ingredients are well combined.
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Gently fold in the mixed dried fruits.
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Pour the batter into the prepared cake tin or loaf pan.
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Bake in the preheated oven for about 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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Allow the Pumpkin Brack to cool in the tin for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Time Needed:
The preparation and baking of Traditional Irish Pumpkin Brack typically take about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes. This includes the time for mixing the ingredients, baking, and cooling.
Enjoy your homemade Irish Pumpkin Brack, a delightful treat that blends the flavors of autumn with Irish tradition!
Certainly! Here are the approximate nutrition facts and some health information for Traditional Irish Pumpkin Brack (per serving, assuming 8 servings):
- Calories: Approximately 240 calories
- Total Fat: About 7 grams
- Saturated Fat: Around 4 grams
- Cholesterol: Approximately 50 milligrams
- Sodium: Roughly 180 milligrams
- Total Carbohydrates: Approximately 42 grams
- Dietary Fiber: About 2 grams
- Sugars: Around 23 grams
- Protein: Approximately 4 grams
Health Information:
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Moderation: Traditional Irish Pumpkin Brack is a delightful treat, but it’s relatively high in sugar and fat. Enjoy it in moderation as an occasional indulgence rather than a daily staple.
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Fiber: While this recipe includes some dietary fiber from the pumpkin and dried fruits, it’s not a significant source. Consider adding more fiber-rich ingredients or pairing it with fiber-rich foods like fruits or vegetables to enhance your overall fiber intake.
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Vitamins and Minerals: Pumpkin, one of the key ingredients, is a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as several minerals. These can provide some nutritional benefits, but the cake itself should not be relied upon as a primary source of these nutrients.
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Portion Control: Pay attention to portion sizes to avoid excessive calorie intake. It’s easy to overindulge in sweet treats like Pumpkin Brack, so cutting smaller slices can help control calorie intake.
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Customization: You can make this recipe slightly healthier by reducing the sugar content or using healthier sweeteners like honey or maple syrup. Additionally, you can experiment with whole wheat flour for added fiber.
Remember that nutrition information may vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes, so it’s a good practice to check product labels and adjust the recipe as needed to align with your dietary preferences and health goals.
