Welsh Raisin Date Nut Cake Bara Brith

Olha's Note:

There are many versions of the Bara Brith, as many perhaps, as there are Welsh cooks. It is basically a spicy raisin cake, deep, dark and delicious. This cake is a bit unorthodox, but very moist and fruity.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 40 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 20 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 1 cake

• 1 ¼ cups butter
• 1 ¼ cups brewed tea
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (NOT Evaporated)
• 1 cup golden raisin
• 1 cup black currants
• 1 cup chopped dates
• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ¼ cups whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 2 tablespoons apricot jam

Directions:

1. In a saucepan, heat together first 6 ingredients and allow mixture to simmer for a minute or 2, or until nicely blended and raisins are plumped.
2. Allow to COOL for 30 minutes.
3. Mix together and stir in the next 8 ingredients until dry ingredients are just moistened.
4. Do not overmix.
5. Stir in the apricot jam.
6. Scrape batter into a greased 10-inch springform pan and bake in a 325°F.
7. oven for about 1 hour and 20 minutes or until a cake tester, inserted in center, comes out clean.
8. (Tent pan loosely with foil if top is browning too rapidly.) Allow to cool in pan, and then cover tightly with plastic wrap and store cake in the refrigerator.
9. NOTE:- This cake is not very sweet, more like a dark raisin bread.
10. Easiest& Best!
11. Coffee Cakes and Quick Breads.