Porter Cake

* Exported from MasterCook *

Porter Cake

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
Zest of one orange
1 c sultanas
1 c raisins
1/2 c mixed candied peel
4 c flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp 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 pe
el. 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 sh
elf at 350F about 1-1/2 hours. Remove from oven and cool on cake rack. After co
mpletely 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 overnigh
t before cutting or serving. If stored in cake tin. Porter Cake will keep well
for several weeks.

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NOTES : Mixed spice is a standard ingredient in Irish baking. It can be bought
anywhere in Ireland. To make your own, grind together 1 tbl coriander seeds, 1
crushed 2 " cinnamon stick, 1 tsp. allspice berries, and 1 teaspoon whole clove
s. Stir in 1 tbl. freshly grated nutmeg and 2 tsp ground ginger. Store in airti
ght container and keep in cool place away from light.