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Special Bunloaf

Special Bunloaf is a traditional Manx recipe (from the Isle of Man) for a classic rich cake-like sodabread incorporating eggs and lard in the batter that's enriched with golden syrup and flavoured with marmalade. The full recipe is presented here and I hope you enjoy this classic Manx version of: Special Bunloaf.

prep time

20 minutes

cook time

100 minutes

Total Time:

120 minutes

Serves:

6–8

Rating:

Tags : Vegetarian RecipesSpice RecipesBread RecipesMilk RecipesBaking RecipesCake RecipesBritish RecipesManx Recipes

This is a typical Christmas-style bunloaf from the Isle of Man. It's lighter than the dark version due to the use of golden syrup rather than treacle (molasses). Interestingly, this version contains no eggs, so all the raising comes from the reaction of the bicarbonate of soda with the soured milk. To make milk, for every 500ml of milk add 1/2 tsp vinegar. Set aside for 15 minutes to thicken before use.

Ingredients:

540g (1 lb ) flour
115g (4 oz) butter
900g (2 lb) mixed fruit
225g (8 oz) sugar
2 tbsp golden syrup
2 tsp mixed spice
115g (4 oz) candied peel or marmalade
1 dessert spoon bicarbonate of soda
enough sour milk (or buttermilk) to give a dropping consistency (about 500ml)

Method:

Sift together the flour and mixed spice into a bowl. Rub in the butter until the mixture resembles fine crumbs then stir in the sugar and dried fruit.

Mix together the golden syrup, sour milk (or buttermilk) and bicarbonate of soda, beating untl completely dissolved. Add enough of this mixture to the flour blend to yield a dropping consistency.

Turn into a grease loaf tin then transfer to an oven pre-heated to 150C and bake for about 100 minutes, until golden on top and cooked through (a skewer inserted into the centre should emerge cleanly).

Allow to cool in the tin for 10 minutes then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Serve sliced and spread with butter.