Porter Cake

Porter is a type of dark Irish beer, not now as widely available as it once was. It is not as strong as stout but Guinness, Murphy's or other Irish stout can be substituted in this recipe if mixed fifty-fifty with water. This cake is quickly and easily made and, though it tastes good fresh from the oven, it is best kept for about a week in an airtight tin.

Ingredients:

1 cup porter

1 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar

6 cups mixed dried fruit

4 cups plain flour (sifted)

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp pumpkin spice

grated rind from one small lemon (optional)

3 medium eggs

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees

Melt the butter and sugar in the porter in a saucepan. Add the fruit and simmer for 10 minutes. Allow to go cold then add the sifted flour, baking soda, spices and lemon rind. Beat the eggs and mix in with a wooden spoon.

Pour into a greased and lined 9 inch cake tin and bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 1 hour and 45 minutes. To test the cake, push a skewer into the center; if ready, the skewer will come out clean. Allow the cake to cool.

The same beer you use to cook this cake with is the best to wash it down with too!