This recipe is based on one in “Theodora Fitzgibbon’s Cookery Book”, (from ’72)
I just changed the fruit around a bit.

Unfortunately in the most recent edition of this recipe they leave out the MOST IMPORTANT (if sexist) bit which she includes in her introduction to the recipe:
“My grandmother used whiskey (to soak the fruit) which made her bracks very popular with the gentlemen.”

I’ll bet it did- omit it at your peril.

Whiskey and Tea Brack

For 3x 500g(1lb.) Loaf Tins

775g (1lb 8oz.) Sultanas
225g (8oz.)Dried Apricots
60g (2oz.) Stem Ginger (the one preserved in syrup)
2 cups tea (without milk) (a cup is about 175ml(6 oz.)
1 cup Whiskey
450g (1 lb. dark brown sugar)
450g (1 lb. Flour)
3 Eggs
3 level teaspoons Baking Powder.

The night before chop the Apricots and the stem ginger in pieces and put them with the sultanas and the sugar to soak overnight with the tea and whiskey.
The following day tip these with their liquid into a large bowl.
Beat the eggs.
Stir in a third of the flour then a third of the eggs, stir well to blend, then alternately add the rest of the flour and eggs.
At this stage at halloween various additions were added
( well wrapped in greaseproof paper)
A pea ( poverty)
A bean (wealth)
A ring (marriage)
A coin ( wealth also)
A rag ( the cloth i.e. the religous life)

Butter the three loaf tins and line the bases with non stick paper.
Divide the mixture between the three tins.
Cook at Gas 2, 150 C, 300F for one hour then test with a skewer to test if they are done. They will be very moist inside but should be cooked.
Cook for a further 25 to 20 mts if necessary.
Take them out of the tins and cool on a rack.