Deliciously Simple Welsh Cakes Recipe for Tea Time Treats
My dear friends, today I want to share a recipe that will transport your taste buds across the rolling hills of Wales to your grandmother’s warm kitchen. I am talking about none other than Granny’s Welsh Cakes! These traditional Welsh griddle cakes are a beloved treat that will make you feel truly at home. They are a cross between a cookie, scone, and pancake, truly unlike anything else in this world.
Now let me tell you, these cakes are no ordinary dessert. They are more than just a simple pastry – they’re an emblem of Welsh culture, steeped in history and heritage. Welsh Cakes have been enjoyed for centuries, made with love by generations of grandmothers and matriarchs in Welsh homes. In Wales, they’re known as “pice ar y maen,” which translates to “cakes on the stone,” referring to the traditional method of cooking them on a hot griddle or frying pan.
These cakes hold a special place in my heart because they remind me of my own granny’s kitchen where she would cook up her famous batch of Welsh Cakes on special occasions like Christmas or St David’s Day. And now I want to share my granny’s recipe with you so that you too can experience the delightful flavors of Wales right from your own kitchen.
So whip out your aprons and grab your bowls because we’re going to learn how to create the perfect Welsh Cakes!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Welsh cakes are a traditional and beloved dessert in Wales, and for good reason! These little cakes are truly unlike anything else; they’re part cookie, part scone, and part pancake. That means they come with a unique taste and texture that’s sure to tickle your taste buds.
But what makes Granny’s Welsh Cakes recipe truly exceptional is that it packs in dried fruit like raisins and currants, along with vanilla, salt, eggs, baking powder, sugar, margarine (or butter), and flour. The result? A sweet treat that’s both fluffy and dense at the same time, and has just the right hints of spice to make it an excellent pairing for Welsh tea or coffee.
One of the things I love about this recipe is that it’s flexible enough to suit all tastes. You can easily swap out raisins or currants for other dried fruit like cranberries or apricots if you prefer. You can also add in nuts or chocolate chips to give it an extra dose of flavor. And if you’re feeling bold, you can even play around with different spices to give it that perfect kick!
So whether you’re a fan of Welsh food or just looking to try something new, these Welsh cakes are sure to make a great addition to your dessert repertoire. Trust me when I say that once you’ve had one bite of Granny’s Welsh Cakes, you’ll be hooked for life!
Ingredient List
Before we dive into the recipe directions, let’s talk about our ingredient list. The beauty of this recipe is that it requires simple pantry staples that you probably already have on hand.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 4 cups (500g) of self-raising flour
- 1 tsp of mixed spice
- 1 1/2 cups (300g) of caster sugar
- 2 1/4 cups (250g) of butter, cubed
- 1 cup (150g) of raisins or currants
- 4 tsp of baking powder
- 2 eggs, beaten
The Recipe How-To
Now that you have all of the ingredients ready let’s get to the fun part: Making the Welsh cakes from scratch. Get your largest mixing bowl out and let’s get started!
Mixing the Dry Ingredients
Start by measuring out 4 cups of flour and add them into a mixing bowl. Then, sprinkle in 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder and a pinch of salt. Mix these dry ingredients together with a whisk until everything is evenly distributed.
Adding Wet Ingredients and Fruits
Stir in about 1 cup of butter into the mixture using your fingers. Keep mixing until you get crumbly dough-like mixture. Then you can stir in 1 cup of raisins or currants into the mixture as well.
Kneading the Dough
Crack 2 eggs on top of the mixture and stir everything together to incorporate it all. The dough should be stiff at this point. Use your hands to bring everything together into one ball-shaped dough.
Rolling out and Cooking The Dough
Sprinkle some flour onto your kitchen counter and place your dough on top of it and knead it lightly for a few minutes until it smooths out. Once smooth, use a rolling pin to flatten out the dough to be about 1/4 inch thick. Use a cookie cutter or any shaped object like a glass to create similar sized rounds for frying.
Preheat your griddle or frying pan over medium heat then grease with margarine or butter Using the rounds you cut from the dough, start frying them on each side for about 3-4 minutes until they become golden brownish.
Serving
Serve warm, dusted lightly with caster sugar, enjoy their sweet mouthwatering taste combined with delicious fragrant tea!
Making Welsh Cakes requires patience at every part but isn’t it worth it when you create something so uniquely delicious? Follow these instructions and you will soon be enjoying the traditional Welsh treat, Granny’s Welsh Cakes Recipe!
Substitutions and Variations
If you’re feeling adventurous or don’t have all the ingredients on hand, don’t worry! There are still plenty of ways to make Granny’s Welsh Cakes your own. Here are a few substitutions and variations to try:
– Fruit: Instead of raisins or currants, try using dried cranberries, chopped apricots, or even fresh blueberries. You can also omit the fruit entirely for a plain but still delicious cake.
– Spices: In addition to the mixed spice called for in the recipe, you can add cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger to give your cakes a warm and cozy flavor.
– Flour: While traditional Welsh cakes use self-raising flour, you can make your own by mixing 1 cup of all-purpose flour with 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. For gluten-free options, try using almond flour or a gluten-free baking mix.
– Butter: If you don’t have margarine or prefer the taste of butter, feel free to substitute it 1:1 in this recipe.
– Cooking Method: While traditionally cooked on a griddle or frying pan, Welsh cakes can also be made in a mini muffin tin for bite-sized treats. Alternatively, you can press the dough into a flat disc and bake it like a scone or cut it into squares like an Eccles Cake.
Experimenting with these substitutions and variations can lead to surprising and delicious results. Remember that cooking is often about trial and error, so don’t be afraid to get creative with your Welsh Cakes!
Serving and Pairing
Once baked to perfection, these delicious Welsh cakes are best served warm with a generous dollop of soft butter or a sprinkle of powdered sugar. These cakes can be enjoyed as a satisfying standalone snack, paired with your favorite cup of tea or coffee, or incorporated into a delightful dessert.
For a traditional Welsh tea experience, serve these tasty cakes along with other classic Welsh treats such as Welsh cookies and griddle cakes. They also pair well with fruit jams, honey, or clotted cream for some added sweetness.
For a more exciting twist, try pairing these cakes with some savory spreads such as chutneys or cheeses. The subtle flavors of the raisins and currants in the cakes perfectly complement the sharpness of cheddar cheese or the sweetness of fig spread.
These versatile little cakes can even be used as fantastic crust substitute for sweet pies! Simply crush them up and use them in place of graham crackers for a new and delicious twist on your dessert repertoire.
No matter how you choose to serve them, these tasty Welsh cakes are sure to delight your taste buds in ways like never before. So why not whip up a batch today?
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
One of the greatest things about Granny’s Welsh Cakes recipe is how versatile it is! You can make a batch of these delicious cakes ahead of time and store them for later snacking. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months, taking them out as you please.
If you’re looking to make these cakes ahead of time, you’ll want to let them cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. If you’re stacking them, make sure to place a piece of parchment or wax paper between each layer so they don’t stick together. They’ll stay fresh for up to 4 days at room temperature.
When you’re ready to enjoy your Welsh Cakes, there are a couple ways you can reheat them. The first is to place them in the microwave for around 10 seconds until they are slightly warmed through. Be careful not to overcook them, otherwise they’ll become tough and dry. The second method is to reheat them in a frying pan or on a griddle with just a bit of butter until they are golden brown and heated through.
Whether you make these ahead of time or not, they’re sure to be a hit with family and friends alike. So go ahead and indulge in the comforting traditional Welsh food and the sweet aroma that fills your home afterward. These cakes are worth it!
Tips for Perfect Results
When it comes to cooking Granny’s Welsh Cakes Recipe, there are some tips I recommend following to ensure perfect results every time. Here are a few things to keep in mind before getting started:
Firstly, make sure all of your ingredients are at room temperature before starting the recipe. This helps the ingredients mix evenly and thoroughly.
Next, be sure to properly mix your dry ingredients before adding in the wet ones. This ensures that the baking powder is evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
When adding in the margarine or butter, be careful not to overwork the dough. Overworking can cause the dough to become tough and dry.
While forming your cakes, make sure not to press them down too hard as this can also cause them to become tough. Gently shape them into rounds and only press lightly with a fork.
When cooking the cakes, use a griddle or frying pan over medium heat. Be patient and resist the temptation to turn up the heat for faster cooking – this will only result in burnt cakes on the outside with an uncooked center.
Lastly, keep an eye on your cakes while they cook as they can easily go from golden brown to burnt if left unattended for even a few seconds too long.
Following these tips will ensure perfect Granny’s Welsh Cakes every time – enjoy!
FAQ
As a chef, I know that questions may arise while cooking. To make your experience pleasant and smooth while preparing Granny’s Welsh Cakes recipe, I have compiled frequently asked questions (FAQ) to address any queries you may have about this traditional Welsh delicacy. Remember, there is always room for experimentation, but these FAQs will ensure you nail the basics before exploring with substitutions and variations. So, let’s get into it!
What makes a Welsh cake Welsh?
Hailing from Wales in Great Britain, Welsh Cakes are a unique and delicious treat that combines the flavors and textures of a cookie, scone, and pancake into a delectable snack.
What’s the difference between scones and Welsh cakes?
If you’re searching for a classic Welsh delicacy to treat your taste buds, look no further than the mouthwatering Welsh cakes! These delightful cakes can be relished hot or cold, according to your preference. While they may be dusted with caster sugar, they are typically enjoyed without any accompaniment. In some cases, they may be sold pre-sliced and spread with jam, or might be served with a slather of butter.
Why do my Welsh cakes fall apart?
When making the dough for this recipe, it’s important to achieve the right consistency. You don’t want it to be too wet and sticky, nor too dry and crumbly. A soft and pliable dough that holds together well is what you’re aiming for. If the dough is too wet, it will stick to your fingers, and if it’s too dry, it will break apart easily. So, make sure to find the right balance for a successful bake.
What is the difference between Eccles cakes and Welsh cakes?
Welsh Cakes are often compared with Eccles Cakes, although they differ in terms of their flatness and filling. The former is flatter and doesn’t have any filling. Further, these cakes require an unconventional cooking method, which is either a griddle or a bake stone. With some practice, making them can be quite easy.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, Granny’s Welsh Cakes recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves traditional Welsh cuisine or is interested in trying something new. These simple and tasty cakes are truly unlike anything else, with a taste and texture that comes from a cross between a cookie, scone, and pancake. With just a few basic ingredients including flour, sugar, baking powder, butter, raisins or currants, and eggs you can enjoy these delicious cakes within minutes.
What’s more impressive is the versatility of the recipe where you can make substitutions and variations to cater to your taste buds. You can pair them up with tea or coffee as an ideal snack. I recommend serving it hot or warm with some butter on top for the best eating experience. The make-ahead options make it convenient to prepare them ahead of time and store them properly for later use.
I hope this recipe inspires you to try out Welsh cuisine and explore its traditional flavors. Remember to follow my tips and recommendations for perfect results! Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors to make it your own. Trust me; your taste buds will thank you!
Granny’s Welsh Cakes Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups flour
- 1 cup margarine or 1 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup raisins or 1 cup currants
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Beat margarine & sugar together.
- Add eggs & beat till smooth.
- Add dry ingredients & stir till just nicely mixed.
- Roll out on floured surface to 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick.
- Cut into rounds using a small glass or round cookie cutter (we've always used a small glass).
- Cook in frying pan till nicely browned on one side; flip & brown the other side. (approx. 3-4 minute per side).
- Remove to baking rack to cool.
- Store in an airtight container or ziplock bag.
Nutrition
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Brian is a British chef cum food blogger who has been in the kitchen since he was a young lad. Growing up in Manchester, he developed a passion for cooking and a keen eye for the perfect dish. He now runs his own blog and YouTube channel, which is dedicated to sharing his passion for food with the world.