Irish Porter (Guinness) Cake

Rich Guinness Cake with whiskey infused fruit - from a recipe from my Grandmother who was chef in large house in Ireland in 1930's.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 20 mins
• Serves: 10
• Yields: 1 Cake

Ingredients

• 2  cups self raising flour
• 2  cups  mixed dried fruit
• 1  cup brown sugar
• 1  cup butter or 1  cup margarine
• 1⁄2 teaspoon mixed spice
• 2  large eggs
• 2  cups  Guinness stout or 2  cups stout beer

Directions

1. Put mixed dried fruit in a bowl with couple of teaspoons of Whiskey (more if you are inclined!) Allow to soak overnight. Fruit will absorb the whiskey.
2. Preheat oven to 375 or Gas Mark 5.
3. Sieve flour. Combine flour, sugar, butter and spice. Crumble it with your fingers but not as fine as you would for pastry. Add fruit to dry mixture.
4. Beat eggs with fork and add them to mixture. When you have mixed add the Guinness/Stout and mix well with a wooden spoon.
5. Line 8 and half inch cake tin with greaseproof or parchment paper (use ready liners if available) and put mixture in tin. Put on middle shelf and cook for 2 hours. Enjoy the aroma in the house.
6. Enjoy with a cup of tea or glass of Guinness!