Currant Loaf Food

MOM'S CURRANT CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. Butter a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan; set aside.
• In a small saucepan, heat the cream over medium heat. Stir in molasses. In a medium bowl, cream the butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add the sugar. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, beating to combine after each addition. Stir in the cream mixture, then the currants. Add the dry ingredients and beat to combine.
• Pour into prepared pan, and bake until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, about 1 hour 15 minutes.

CURRANT CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas 6. Lightly dust a flat baking tray with flour.
• Sieve the flour, baking powder and salt into a mixing bowl. Add the sugar and mix well.
• Rub the margarine or butter into the dry ingredients until mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add the sultanas or raisins and mix through.
• Finally, add the egg and sufficient milk to make a soft dough, not too wet or sticky! Turn onto a lightly floured board and gently knead, just enough to bring the dough together.
• Transfer to the prepared baking tray and shape into a round 1 1/2” deep. Cut a cross on top and bake for about 40 minutes until golden brown.

CURRANT LOAF

Steps:

• Place in a bowl 1 cup of dried mixed fruit, sugar and 1 cup cold strained tea.
• Leave this mixture for 1 to 3 hours so that the fruit will become plump.
• Stirring the fruit occasionally to ensure all the fruit is coated with the tea and sugar mixture.
• Add the self raising flour slowly, but mix the flour in thoroughly. The cake mixture will look like gravel.
• Pour into a well greased loaf tin.
• Cook in a moderate oven for approximately 45 to 60 minutes.
• Turn onto a wire rack to cool.

TRADITIONAL IRISH CURRANT SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Sift flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
• Stir in currants and milk.
• Combine until well blended.
• Dough will be sticky.
• Turn out onto floured board and knead 10 times, until smooth.
• Shape into an 8" round loaf.
• Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
• Cut an"X" with a knife into the top of the loaf.
• Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes.
• Remove from oven; pour sugar and water glaze over the top and return to oven for an additional 10 minutes.

BLACK CURRANT DRIZZLE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180*C/350*F/ gas mark 4. Butter a 2 pound loaf tin and line with baking parchment, allowing the ends to drape over for easy removal.
• Put the butter, caster sugar, flour, eggs and vanilla into a large bowl. Beat together with an electric whisk until pale and creamy, about 5 minutes. Spread one third of the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle with 1/3 of the black currants.. Dot another 1/3 of the batter over top of the currants. Spread over carefully. Sprinkle another 1/3 of the black currants over top. Finally spread with the remaining batter, reserving the remainder of the currants for after.
• Place into the heated oven and bake for about one hour, until risen and a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Remove from the oven.
• Place the remainder of the currants in a bowl along with the granulated sugar. Add the lemon juice and stir in with a fork, lightly mashing the fruit just a bit.
• Take a skewer and poke holes all into the top of the cake. Spoon the fruit,sugar and juice mixture over top evenly. Allow to cool completely before removing from the pan. The top should be set and crisp. Cut into slices to serve. Eat within a few days. (So NOT a problem!!)

TEA LOAF

Steps:

• Mix the sultanas, raisins and orange zest in a large mixing bowl. Pour over the tea and cover the bowl. Leave to sit for a minimum of 6 hours or ideally overnight to allow the dried fruit to soak up all the liquid.
• Heat the oven to 180C/160 fan/gas 4. Grease and line a 900g loaf tin. Add the eggs, flour and sugar to the soaked fruit, ensuring everything is well combined. Spoon the mixture into the tin and place in the centre of the oven for 1 hour 30 mins or until firm to the touch. Leave to cool in the tin for 15 mins before transferring to a wire rack.
• Cut into thick slices and serve with butter. To store, wrap tightly and keep in an airtight container for up to five days. The loaf will taste even better after a few days.