Irish Porter Cake for St Patrick’s Day

Irish Porter Cake is a delicious and easy boiled fruit cake made with Irish Porter or Stout. It is one of those cakes that just gets better and better, the longer you can bear to keep it.  

This is such a simple recipe with all the ingredients mixed in one saucepan. Irish Porter Cake is rich with butter, sugar and sweet dried fruits. All of this sweetness is tempered by the slight bitterness in the ale.

What is St Patrick’s Day?

St Patrick’s Day is a celebration of Irish culture and observes the death of  St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. St Patrick is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland during the fifth century. 

When is St Patrick’s Day?

St Patrick’s Day is celebrated annually on 17th March. It is a global celebration of Irish culture and wherever there are people of Irish descent there is likely to be a party going on to remember St Patrick.

What is Porter?

Porter is a dark style beer that tastes sweet, fruity and malty with a slight caramel flavour. Although this is an Irish Porter Cake, Porter is actually a London beer named after the street and river porters who liked to drink it.

Stout is a strong, extra, or ‘stout’ porter. The most famous being Guinness that classic Irish Stout. I’ve made Irish Porter Cake with Guinness West Indies Porter, and also with other kinds of stout. The increase in craft beer breweries means there is now even more choice of stout and any dark malted beer is perfect for this recipe.

How do I store Irish Porter Cake?

Store the completely cooled Irish Porter Cake wrapped in foil then put into an airtight tin or container. This cake one that actually improves if you keep it wrapped up for 2-3 days before eating. It will keep in an airtight container in a cool place for 7-10 days.

Can I freeze the Porter Cake?

Yes, cut the cake into slices and open freeze. Then store the sliced cake in a freezer-proof container for up to 3 months.

How to make Irish Porter Cake

Follow the simple step-by-step instructions for a this easy one-pot fruit cake.

Melt the butter and sugar

• Put the porter (stout), dried fruit, peel, cherries, sugar, and bicarbonate of soda in a large saucepan.
• Heat gently until the butter has melted and the sugar has dissolved.

Boil the cake mixture

Bring to a boil and boil for 10 minutes. Stir the mixture occasionally so it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.

Leave to cool

Remove the pan from the heat and leave to cool (about 20 minutes). If you add the egg into a hot mixture it will scramble, so make sure the mixture is just warm and not hot.

Line the baking tin

Preheat the oven and grease and line a 22cm/9 in square cake tin with baking parchment.

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Add the remaining ingredients

Add the flour, eggs and baking powder and stir to mix thoroughly

Bake

• Put the cake mixture into the tin
• Bake for about 1 hour 10 minutes.
• Check the cake after 1 hour as not all ovens are true to temperature.

Remove the cake from the oven

• The cake is ready when it has risen and is firm to the touch.
• Leave the Irish Porter Cake in the tin until it is completely cold.
• Then remove from the tin, take off the parchment.
• Wrap in foil and keep in an airtight container until you are ready to eat it.

How do I serve Irish Porter Cake?

Serve the cake in slices with or without butter. It’s a lovely cake to enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee and on St Patrick’s Day, I recommend serving this delicious cake with a glass of porter or stout for the ultimate Irish treat!

Irish Porter Cake is an ideal cake to include in your lunchbox because it holds together well and does not crumble.

More Fruit Cakes from Farmersgirl Kitchen

Condensed Milk Sticky Date Cake is a rich, sweet, and sticky cake that is made with dried fruit and a can of condensed milk. It is really the most delicious cake and it very easy to make. 

Christmas Fruit Cake is a traditional bake for the festive season in the UK. This step by step recipe makes it an easy bake even if you have little experience. 

Mary’s Tea Time Cake is one of those recipes that you want to make again and again. This simple recipe creates a tea time cake that is packed full of fruit and is absolutely delicious with a cup of tea or coffee.

I’m adding this post to #cookblogshare the link up for recipes. This week hosted at Sew White, Food and Lifestyle Blog