Easter Spice Bun

One of my favourite things to make a Easter is a traditional Jamaican Easter Bun. It is commonly eaten all around the Caribbean and is served with cheese. 'Bun and Cheese' is usually eaten around Easter time. I have searched the internet and found many slightly differing recipes which reflect the different Caribbean islands and also individual family recipes handed down for generations. I have come up with my own variation which was inspired by all the rest! First you must soak 8oz of dried fruit in some dark rum and vanilla essence (caribbean mixed essence if you can get it!) Soak the dried fruit for at least 24 hours! 2oz butter, melted, 8oz dark muscovado sugar, 1 bottle of dragon stout, 2oz orange marmalade, 2oz honey. Gently melt all the above ingredients together in a saucepan and leave to cool.

Gently stir in the soaked dried fruit, 2 beaten eggs and the following dry ingredients.
24oz flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp ground nutmeg, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp allspice, 1 tsp ground star anise.

Stir all ingredients together, and if it is Easter you can add 11 red cherries (like the marzipan balls on Simnel cake, these represent the 11 apostles)

Pour mixture into two 2lb loaf tins and bake at 325F for 15mins, then 300F for 1 hour.

Serve with cheese!