Festive Christmas Recipe: Indulge in Welsh Cakes Delight

Are you ready for a festive twist on a traditional Welsh treat? Look no further than my Christmas Welsh Cakes recipe. These delicious cakes are perfect for holiday gatherings, afternoon tea, or even as a sweet breakfast treat on Christmas morning.

Welsh cakes, also known as griddle cakes or Welsh tea cakes, are a popular and beloved pastry in Wales. They are similar to scones but much softer and lightly spiced with mixed spice. My recipe takes this classic and adds a touch of Christmas magic with a sprinkle of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.

Not only are these cakes delicious, but they are also incredibly easy to make. The dough comes together quickly in one large bowl and is cooked on a cast-iron skillet or griddle pan. The result is a light and fluffy cake with a slightly crispy exterior.

So, whether you’re looking for something new to add to your holiday dessert table or simply want to indulge in some traditional Welsh food, this Christmas Welsh Cakes recipe is the perfect choice. Let’s gather our ingredients and get started!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Raise your hand if you love festive treats! Raise your hand if Welsh cakes are on the top of your list! If you’re like me, Christmas and baking go hand-in-hand, and so do these delicious Christmas Welsh Cakes! But if you’ve never tasted these magic disks, let me tell you why you’re going to love this recipe.

Firstly, these cakes are incredibly easy to make! With basic ingredients found in most kitchens – flour, sugar, butter, eggs and various spices – you can whip up the dough in a matter of minutes. No complicated steps or fancy equipment required. All you need is a bowl, rolling pin and a frying pan or griddle.

Secondly, these welsh cakes are versatile. You can make them any time of the year, but during the holidays they take on even more significance. They’re perfect for holiday brunches, afternoon tea parties or as a late-night snack with a warm cup of cocoa; their compact size makes them convenient for any occasion.

Thirdly, their aroma will fill your space with warmth and festiveness. The mixed spice blend used adds a touch of cinnamon and allspice that creates an irresistible smell that instantly puts us in the spirit.

Lastly (but not least), Welsh cakes celebrate tradition! You want something traditional but different? This is it. Welsh food is imbued with centuries-old history and cultural heritage. Bara Brith, speckled bread or Welsh tea cakes – there are many ways to enjoy baked goods from this region. While some might stereotype British food as “notoriously bland,” this recipe proves otherwise.

So what are you waiting for? Get in the kitchen, add Welsh cakes to your repertoire, create a new holiday baking tradition and impress everyone with these scrumptious Christmas Welsh Cakes made just the way Jamie Oliver intended.

Ingredient List

Below is the ingredient list for my delicious Christmas Welsh Cakes Recipe. Make sure you have everything on hand before beginning this delightful recipe.

Here’s What You’ll Need:

• 225g self-raising flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 100g butter, cut into small pieces
• 75g caster sugar (plus extra for dusting)
• A pinch of salt
• 1 egg
• A splash of milk if needed

I recommend using self-raising flour for great results, but if you don’t have any, you can use plain flour with some baking powder added. Mixed spice is a traditional British blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger that adds a lovely warmth and flavor to these cakes.

The Recipe How-To

Now, let’s get to the fun part: making these delicious Christmas Welsh Cakes! Here’s what you need to do:

Step 1: Mix Together Your Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, sift together your 225g of self-raising flour, ½ tsp of baking powder, and 1 tsp of mixed spice. Then add in your 75 g of caster sugar and a pinch of salt.

Next, cut your 100g of cold butter into small pieces and rub into the dry ingredients until it forms a crumbly mixture.

Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients And Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together your 1 egg and 1 tsp of vanilla extract.

Make a well in the centre of your flour mixture and pour in your wet ingredients. Mix with a spatula or wooden spoon until everything is fully combined.

If your mixture seems too dry, add a splash of milk – this will help bring everything together!

Step 3: Roll Out Your Dough

On a floured surface, roll out your dough to a thickness of about ½ inch.

Use a circular cutter (or the rim of a glass!) to cut out circles that are roughly 2-3 inches in diameter.

Step 4: Cook Your Welsh Cakes

Heat up your cast iron skillet or frying pan over medium-low heat. You don’t want the temperature too high as you don’t want to burn the welsh cakes!

Place as many welsh cakes as you can fit onto the skillet (just be sure not to let them touch each other).

Cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side, until they’re golden brown.

Once they’re cooked through, transfer them to a cooling rack to cool down completely.

Step 5: Add The Finishing Touches

Dust your welsh cakes with caster sugar and enjoy them warm or cold! You can also add a dollop of jam, honey or clotted cream on top.

One tip I have is to sprinkle some extra mixed spice onto your Welsh Cakes for an extra festive flavour!

Ta-da! Now you know how to make these delicious Christmas Welsh Cakes. Don’t they look and sound amazing?

Substitutions and Variations

If you’re looking to mix things up a bit, or don’t have all the ingredients on hand, there are several substitutions and variations you can make to this Christmas Welsh Cakes recipe.

For those with dietary restrictions, you can substitute the butter for a plant-based butter or margarine, and the egg for a flax or chia seed egg. To make the recipe gluten-free, replace the self-raising flour with a gluten-free flour blend and add 1 tsp of xanthan gum. You could also experiment with adding different spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon or ginger to create unique flavors.

Another variation of this recipe is to add raisins, currants or dried cranberries in place of some of the sugar to create a speckled bread known as bara brith. Alternatively, you could sprinkle some chopped nuts like walnuts, pecans or almonds on top of the dough before cooking for a sweet crunch.

If you’re feeling adventurous, forgo the traditional circular shape and make Welsh cookies in fun shapes such as stars or hearts. Or use cookie cutters to create larger cookie rounds perfect for using as a sandwich with your favorite jam, honey or Nutella spread.

The opportunities to customize this recipe are endless. So feel free to experiment and make it your own while still enjoying a delicious taste of traditional Welsh food.

Serving and Pairing

Welsh cakes are a delightful tea-time treat that can be enjoyed as they are or with some accompaniment. I suggest you serve these Christmas Welsh Cakes with a generous sprinkle of caster sugar or a dollop of creamy butter to enhance their flavour. You could also add some strawberry jam or sweetened whipped cream for a touch of indulgence.

If you are feeling creative, try pairing these Christmas Welsh Cakes with some traditional Welsh food such as Bara Brith, a speckled bread made with dried fruits and spices. Alternatively, you can serve them with Welsh tea cakes or griddle cakes for an authentic Welsh experience.

If you prefer savory items, Welsh cakes also pair well with cheese and chutney. Serve them as appetizers at your next party and watch your guests fall in love with these delicious treats!

For drinks, I recommend serving these Christmas Welsh Cakes alongside a pot of freshly brewed tea or coffee. The warm and buttery flavours of the cakes perfectly complement the aromatic notes of the tea or coffee for an indulgent experience.

Overall, Christmas Welsh Cakes are versatile and can be served in multiple ways depending on your preferences. Whether enjoyed on their own or paired with complementary items, they are sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who tries them!

Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating

Once you’ve made your delicious Christmas Welsh Cakes, you can store them for a few days, meaning you can make them ahead of time or have leftovers without worrying about them going stale. These cakes actually taste better the next day when stored correctly! There are several ways to prepare them for storage and reheating, but here are some options to consider:

Preparation for Storage:

To store the Christmas Welsh Cakes, let them cool completely after frying, then layer them with parchment/baking paper in between each cake. Place them in an airtight container, and store in a cool, dry area or in the refrigerator. If you want to freeze these cakes for future use, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a resealable freezer bag.

Note: Avoid sprinkling granulated sugar on top before storing as it can dissolve and make the cake soggy.

Reheating:

When it’s time to enjoy your Welsh Cakes, there are several ways to reheat them:

– Oven: Place the welsh cakes in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for five minutes, or until they’re hot and crispy.

– Toaster: Slice the welsh cake in half like an English muffin and toast it until warm.

– Microwave: Heat for 10-20 seconds per cake.

Serving suggestion:

Serve these cakes warm with butter or jam spread on top with a hot brew of traditional Welsh tea. Trust me; it will be worth the effort!

Tips for Perfect Results

To achieve the best results and perfect Christmas Welsh Cakes, there are a few tips to keep in mind. Here are some of the most important ones:

1. Keep your ingredients cold: Make sure your butter and egg are cold, straight from the fridge. This will help the dough come together better and makes rolling out easier.

2. Don’t overwork the dough: Once you’ve combined your dry and wet ingredients, mix them until they just come together. Overworking the dough can make it tough.

3. Use a hot surface to cook on: Whether it’s a griddle or a cast iron frying pan, make sure it’s good and hot before you start cooking or frying. Too low heat will make them dry, too high heat can burn them.

4. Flip carefully: When turning your Welsh cakes over to cook on both sides, use a thin spatula or palette knife for best results.

5. Resist the urge to press down: Your Welsh cakes will rise while cooking so avoid pushing down on them with a spatula as this can squash their height.

6. Cool down fully: Make sure to let your Welsh cakes cool down completely before transferring them to an airtight container or serving plate.

7. Make ahead of time: Welsh cakes are ideal for making ahead of time especially if you’re preparing in larger batches to serve during festive gatherings.

By following these tips you’ll get perfect Christmas Welsh Cakes that have just the right combination of crispiness and moistness in every bite!

FAQ

Before I wrap up this article, I want to address some commonly asked questions about this Christmas Welsh Cakes recipe. Sometimes, when trying out a new recipe, you may encounter some uncertainties or confusion. In this section, I aim to provide clarifications and guidance to help you perfect the art of making these festive treats. Let’s dive into the frequently asked questions about this Welsh cakes recipe.

Why do my Welsh cakes fall apart?

When making this recipe, you’ll want to achieve the perfect texture for your dough. You don’t want it to be too wet, as it can get sticky and difficult to handle. On the other hand, if it’s too dry, it can come out crumbly and hard to shape. The ideal texture you should aim for is a soft dough that stays together but doesn’t leave a mess on your hands.

What is the difference between Welsh cakes and scones?

Welsh cakes can be served either warm or at room temperature, and are often sprinkled with caster sugar. They are typically enjoyed on their own, without any additional condiments, although they may occasionally come pre-sliced with a layer of jam or butter. Unlike scones, which are often paired with jam and cream, Welsh cakes are a standalone treat.

How do you keep Welsh cakes from burning?

To start, heat up your griddle or cast-iron frying skillet. Remember not to add any oil. The key challenge lies in getting the heat just right. You want it to be low enough to avoid burning the exterior while the inside gets fully cooked. Cook each side of the cakes for around 3 to 4 minutes.

What makes a Welsh cake Welsh?

Hailing from Wales in Great Britain, Welsh Cakes are a unique dessert that defies categorization, as they possess a texture and flavor profile unlike any ordinary cookie, scone or pancake.

Bottom Line

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Welsh cakes are a delicious and traditional Welsh food that can be enjoyed for dessert, breakfast, or even afternoon tea. This Christmas Welsh Cakes recipe is a delightful twist on the classic recipe that is perfect for the holiday season. With its mix of spices and sweetness, it will surely delight your taste buds.

I hope that you find this recipe easy to follow and that it brings warmth and joy to your holiday celebrations. Remember to dust your griddle or frying pan with flour to prevent sticking and have patience when cooking these cakes as they cook slowly but surely.

Don’t hesitate to experiment with different ingredients, substitutions, and variations. And if you have any questions or doubts, check out the FAQ section for more tips and tricks.

In short, this Christmas Welsh Cakes recipe is a must-try recipe that will impress your family and friends. So next time you’re in the mood for something warm and cozy, bake up a batch of these delightful cakes and enjoy with a cup of Welsh tea or hot cocoa. Happy holidays!

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