Recipe By : Festive Food of Ireland by Darina Allen
Serving Size : 20 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Cakes Irish
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 c Butter
1 1/2 c Brown sugar -- packed
1 1/4 c Guinness or stout --
- or more if desired
1 Orange -- zest of
1 c Sultanas
1 c Raisins
1/2 c Mixed candied peel
4 c Flour
1/2 ts Baking soda
2 ts Mixed spice
1/2 c Whole candied cherries
3 Eggs
Place butter and brown sugar in saucepan and set over medium heat
until butter is melted. Stir in Guinness. Add orange zest, sultanas,
raisins, and candied peel. Bring mixture to boil and boil 3 to
4 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and cool until
lukewarm.
Sift flour, baking soda, and mixed spice into mixing bowl. Add fruit
mixture to flour along with cherries. Whisk eggs in small bowl and
add gradually to fruit-flour mixture, mixing well.
Spoon mixture into greased and floured 9-inch round cake pan. Bake on
middle shelf at 350°F about 1-1/2 hours. Remove from oven and cool on
cake rack. After completely cooled, remove from pan. If desired,
pierce cake with skewer and pour 1/4 cup Guinness over cake to keep
it moist. Wrap tightly and let rest overnight before cutting or
serving. If stored in cake tin. Porter Cake will keep well for
several weeks.
Notes:
Mixed spice is a standard ingredient in Irish baking. It can be
bought anywhere in Ireland. To make your own, grind together 1 tb
coriander seeds, 1 crushed cinnamon stick (2"), 1 ts allspice
berries, and 1 ts whole cloves. Stir in 1 tb freshly grated nutmeg
and 2 ts ground ginger. Store in airtight container and keep in cool
place away from light.
