Skip to main content

Porter Cake

5.0

(2)

This traditional Irish cake uses porter, such as Guinness, Beamish or Murphy's, and is a deliciously rich and moist fruit cake. Make it a few days in advance of the celebratory event (it's perfect for St. Patrick's Day) if you like, and it will improve even more!

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Serves 10 to 12

Ingredients

3 2/3 c (1 lb) all-purpose flour
1 tsp grated or ground nutmeg
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
16 tbsp (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 c (8 oz) light brown sugar
1 lb golden or regular raisins or a mixture of both
3 oz chopped candied peel
2 eggs
One 12-oz bottle of porter or stout

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line the sides and base of an 8-inch high-sided round cake pan (the sides should be about 2 3/4 inches high) with wax paper.

    Step 2

    Sift the flour, nutmeg, pie spice, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Rub in the butter, then stir in the sugar, raisins and the candied peel.

    Step 3

    Whisk the eggs in another bowl, add the porter or stout, then pour into the dry ingredients and mix well. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for about 2 hours in the preheated oven. If it starts to brown too quickly on top, cover it with foil or wax paper after about 1 hour. The cake is cooked when a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow it to sit in the pan for about 20 minutes before turning out and cooling on a wire rack.

Reprinted with permission from Favorite Food at Home: Delicious Comfort Food from Ireland's Most Famous Chef by Rachel Allen, © March 2010 William Morrow Cookbooks
Read More
Grab your Easter basket and hop in—you’ll want to collect each and every one of these fun and easy Easter recipes.
A warmly spiced Ashkenazi charoset, perfect for your Passover seder—or spooned over yogurt the next morning.
Like airy lemon chiffon cake and a Cadbury egg–inspired tart.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Like lemony risotto and tandoori-style cauliflower.
Think a Hugo spritz, a gin basil smash, and plenty more patio-ready pours.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.