Cooking time: approx. 2 hours

If there's one Irish gastronomic specialty you should discover, it's porter cake! This spice and raisin-based cake is made with Guinness, that unique dark and very Irish beer.

(1) Mixed Spice:
Mixed spice frequently occurs in British cooking. It is a carefully blended spice mix which is often bought ready-made. The warm, spicy flavourings are found in many traditional British and Irish recipes, particularly cakes, pies and baked goods. It includes a balance of some or all of the following ground spices: cinnamon, coriander seed, caraway, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, allspice and mace. 

1. Preheat oven 180°C / 350°F.
2. Line a 20 cm / 8" round cake tin with greaseproof paper.
3. Sieve the flour, salt, baking powder and mixed spice into a bowl and add the sugar.
4. Rub in the butter and add raisins and peels and mix.
5. Add the Guinness to the beaten eggs and add to fruit mixture. Mix well.
6. Transfer to the prepared tin and bake for approximately 2 hours on a low shelf position.

Notes:
Check cake after an hour and if it is browning too quickly, cover with a double layer of greaseproof paper until baked.