Gluten-Free Vegan Barmbrack Tea Loaf Recipe

This gluten-free tea loaf is a traditional Irish bread, also known as Barmbrack, often enjoyed around Halloween. It’s simple to make with just a few ingredients.

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

A few weeks ago a customer who buys my flour asked if I had a recipe for gluten-free barmbrack.

I had heard of it but never made it myself, so when she said her attempts had failed I took it as a welcome challenge. She sent her usual recipe and I set about adapting it to be reliably gluten-free.

What is Barmbrack?

Barmbrack is a traditional Irish tea loaf, frequently made around Halloween. Historically, small objects were hidden in the loaf for a fortune-telling game. The bread is dense, fruity and slightly sweet, and it’s traditionally eaten sliced and buttered with a cup of tea.

How easy is it to make?

One of the best things about this loaf is how straightforward it is. Like soda bread, it uses bicarbonate of soda for leavening so no yeast is required. The method is quick — mixing takes only minutes — and the result is a satisfying, vegan, gluten-free loaf.

The recipe calls for soaking the dried fruit before mixing. I soaked mine in chai tea to boost flavor, but you can soak fruit in plain hot water, black tea, or even a little alcohol if you prefer. After baking, slice and serve warm with butter, or allow it to cool. Because this style of bread is freshest on the day it’s baked, any leftover slices keep very well in the freezer; a short microwave blast brings them back nicely.

Which gluten-free flour is used?

This recipe uses a rice-free wholegrain gluten-free flour blend I developed because I wanted better flavor and nutrition than many commercial blends. The blend includes teff, sorghum and buckwheat alongside tapioca and potato starches to give structure and a pleasant crumb. A good gluten-free flour blend is one of the most important factors in successful gluten-free baking.

Pin the recipe for my gluten-free tea loaf, or Barmbrack, so you don’t lose it.

Gluten Free Tea Loaf – Barmbrack (Vegan)

This gluten-free tea loaf is a traditional Irish bread, often enjoyed around Halloween. It’s simple to make with very few ingredients.

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 40 mins

Total Time: 50 mins

Servings: 1 small loaf

Author: Vicki Montague – the Free From Fairy

Ingredients

225 g raisins or mixed dried fruit
1 tsp salt
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
225 ml boiling tea (or hot water)
225 g gluten-free plain flour (I used my Free From Fairy blend)
2 tsp psyllium husk powder (or 1 tsp xanthan gum)
50 g coconut sugar (or other sugar)
1 tsp cinnamon (omit if using chai tea)

Instructions

Place the raisins, salt and bicarbonate of soda into a large bowl. Pour over the boiling tea or hot water and leave to soak for about 20 minutes.
Add the gluten-free flour, psyllium, sugar and cinnamon, then mix until everything is well combined and the mixture comes together.
Spoon the mixture into a greased 1 lb (small) loaf tin and level the top.
Bake in a preheated oven at 190°C (170°C fan) for around 40 minutes, until the loaf is golden and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
Allow to cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Alternatively, slice and enjoy while hot.

Notes

Nutritional information below is approximate and for guidance only.

Nutrition (Approx)