Delicious Welsh Cakes Recipe for a Satisfying Brunch
Looking for a delicious and easy-to-make treat that’s perfect for tea time? Look no further than the traditional Welsh cakes recipe. These sweet and spiced griddle cakes are a beloved part of Wales’ culinary heritage, and are sure to become a favorite in your own home.
Made with simple ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, and butter or margarine, Welsh cakes are dotted with plump raisins or currants and scented with warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. The result is a dense, tender cake that’s perfect on its own or with a dollop of clotted cream.
One of the best things about Welsh cakes is how versatile they are – they’re ideal for breakfast or brunch, served warm with coffee or tea. They also make a great snack, packed in your child’s lunchbox or enjoyed as an afternoon treat. Whatever way you choose to enjoy them, we guarantee these traditional treats won’t disappoint!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Who says you need to hop on a plane to enjoy a traditional Welsh treat? With this Welsh Cakes recipe, you can savor the buttery, sweet delights of Wales in your own home!
Not only are these cakes easy to make, but they’re also perfect for any time of the day. You can enjoy them for breakfast, as an afternoon snack, or even as a dessert. The warm and cozy feeling that comes with biting into a freshly made Welsh Cake will have you longing for more!
The combination of raisins and cinnamon create a unique and welcoming aroma that will fill your kitchen and your taste buds with joy. Plus, with this recipe’s simple list of ingredients, you don’t have to worry about any specialized or hard-to-find items.
So why wait until your next vacation to try Welsh Cakes? Whip up a batch today and let the flavors transport you straight into the heart of Wales. Trust me, you’ll be hooked!
Ingredient List
Get your apron on, your ingredients ready and let’s start making some scrumptious Welsh Cakes! The ingredients you’ll need for this recipe may already be in your pantry, but if not, make sure to add them to your shopping list.
Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
- 3 cups (375g) of plain flour
- 1 ½ cups (300g) of granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
- ½ tsp of salt
- 1 tsp of mixed spice
- 100g of butter (ideally Welsh butter) cut into small pieces
- 100g of lard or vegetable shortening (ideally Welsh) cut into small pieces
- 225g of dried currants or raisins
- 1 egg
- A splash of milk
- A few drops of vanilla extract
Note: If you’re feeling adventurous and want to try a different version, you can opt for gluten-free self-raising flour instead of plain flour. And if you prefer a vegan option, substitute the egg and dairy products with vegan alternatives.
The Recipe How-To
Now that we have the Ingredient List covered, let’s get to making these delicious Welsh Cakes! This recipe is fairly easy, and it takes a relatively short amount of time to make. In fact, it only takes around 15 minutes to prepare and 20-30 minutes to cook. So, without further ado, here are the steps to make this traditional Welsh cake recipe:
Step 1: Preheat your griddle or frying pan
First things first, you want to preheat your griddle or frying pan over medium heat while you prepare the dough. This will ensure that the pan is hot enough before you start cooking.
Step 2: Combine dry ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine your dry ingredients: 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of mixed spice, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar. Mix thoroughly and set aside.
Step 3: Cut in butter
Cut 100g of unsalted butter into small pieces and add them to the bowl with the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter or fork, cut in the butter until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
Step 4: Add wet ingredients
Beat one egg in a separate bowl and add to the dry ingredient mixture along with 1/4 cup of milk and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla. Mix together until it forms a soft dough.
Step 5: Add raisins
Finally, add in 1/2 cup of raisins (or currents) to the dough mixture and stir them in evenly.
Step 6: Roll out & cut dough
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1cm thick. Use a round cookie cutter or drinking glass to cut out circles that are roughly 7-8cm in diameter.
Step 7: Cook the Welsh Cakes
Place the Welsh cakes on the preheated griddle or frying pan and cook for approximately 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Be sure to space them out so they don’t stick together.
Step 8: Serve
Once they’re done, place them on a wire rack to cool before serving. They can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature with some tea, jam or butter.
These steps should give you a good idea of how to make Traditional Welsh Cakes! It may seem like a lot of ingredients and steps, but trust me, it’s worth it for this delicious treat.
Substitutions and Variations
While the traditional Welsh Cakes Recipe calls for specific ingredients, there are always ways to experiment and make it your own without compromising its scrumptious buttery flavor.
For a vegan version of the recipe, use margarine or vegan shortening in place of butter, and swap out the egg for a 1/3 cup of unsweetened applesauce. If you’re using whole wheat flour, consider reducing the amount by 1/4 to avoid ending up with a dense texture.
To add more excitement to your cakes recipe, mix in raisins or other dried fruits like currants or cranberries. Alternatively, replace the raisins with some lemon zest for a citrusy twist that will please any palate.
If you’re allergic to gluten, it’s possible to create this recipe with gluten-free flour. When making this substitution, add an additional 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder and use xanthan gum as a binding agent.
For extra cinnamon flavor, try adding 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon into the dry mixture along with a 1/4 tsp mix spice. If you want the spice flavor to be dominant in your recipe welsh cakes, swap the mixed spice ratio for cinnamon and mace (1 tsp each), along with ½ tsp of nutmeg.
You can also opt to go savory instead of sweet by adding some grated cheese or bacon bits into the mix. Serve these savory cakes warm from the frying pan and watch them disappear before your very eyes.
In conclusion, while making substitutions can alter the original flavor of the Welsh Cakes Recipe slightly, feel free to experiment and make it your own!
Serving and Pairing
When it comes to serving and pairing Welsh cakes, there are a number of delicious options that can make for a truly special treat. Traditionally, people in Wales enjoy them with a cup of tea, coffee, or even hot chocolate. I personally love having these cakes with a cup of earl grey tea, as the tea’s citrusy notes pair perfectly with the buttery richness of the cakes.
Another idea is to serve Welsh cakes at breakfast or brunch alongside other British specialties such as English muffins, bangers and mash or black pudding. If you’re feeling fancy, you can also serve them as a dessert with whipped cream or even ice cream.
If you want to kick things up a notch, try serving your Welsh cakes with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup and sprinkle some cinnamon on top. Or better yet, you can add some fresh fruits such as raspberries or chopped strawberries right before serving.
Keep in mind that these cakes are already quite sweet thanks to their raisins and sugar content, so it’s best to pair them with something that will complement their natural flavors. Whatever way you choose to serve Welsh cakes, one thing is for sure: they’re guaranteed to put a smile on anyone’s face!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
Welsh cakes are perfect as a make-ahead treat, and can easily be stored for future enjoyment. If you’re preparing these cakes ahead of time, allow them to cool completely before storing. Once cooled, you can store them in an airtight container on the counter for up to 3 days.
If you want to keep them fresh for longer, they can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Just place them in a sealed container or zip-top bag before refrigerating. If you’re planning to freeze your Welsh cakes, simply keep them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To reheat your Welsh cakes, there are a few different methods to choose from. One option is to simply pop them into the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. This will warm them through without making them too hot.
If you prefer a crispier texture, try reheating them in a frying pan over medium heat. For best results, heat the cakes for about 1-2 minutes on each side until they’re heated through and lightly browned on the outside. You could also try grilling or broiling them for a similar effect.
No matter how you choose to reheat your Welsh cakes, they’re sure to delight with their deliciously soft and fluffy texture, and their sweet raisin-filled centers.
Tips for Perfect Results
When it comes to making Welsh Cakes, there are a few tips and tricks that can help you achieve perfect results every time. Here are some of my top tips:
Firstly, make sure your ingredients are at room temperature before you begin baking. Cold ingredients can cause the butter or shortening to clump together, resulting in a tough texture.
Secondly, avoid overworking the dough. Mix the ingredients until just combined and then stop. Overmixing can also result in a tough texture.
Thirdly, use a heavy-bottomed frying pan or griddle to cook the Welsh Cakes. This will ensure that they cook evenly and don’t burn on the outside while remaining undercooked on the inside.
Fourthly, keep an eye on the heat of your pan or griddle. Cooking Welsh Cakes is all about keeping the heat at a medium-high temperature; too low and they won’t cook through properly and too high, they will burn.
Fifthly, don’t be tempted to flatten the cakes as you cook them; they should be around 1cm thick before cooking. If you try to press them down so they are thinner you will end up with tough hockey pucks instead of lovely soft cakes.
Lastly, remember that practice makes perfect! Don’t be disheartened if your first batch isn’t perfect, take note of where you may have gone wrong and try again! With these tips in mind, I am confident that you will nail this traditional Welsh cake recipe in no time!
Bottom Line
in the Style of Chip Heath:
In conclusion, I encourage you to try making traditional Welsh cakes with this recipe. Not only are they a delicious and unique treat, but they also have deep cultural significance to the Welsh people. These cakes are perfect for sharing over a cup of tea or as a snack on the go.
And don’t be afraid to get creative with substitutions and variations – this recipe is versatile and can be adapted to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs.
With these detailed instructions, tips, and recommendations, there’s no reason not to give this recipe a try. So grab your ingredients, get your griddle or frying pan ready, and immerse yourself in the joy of Welsh cuisine. Who knows, you may just discover a new favorite treat!
Welsh Cakes Recipe
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 2 cups flour
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup shortening or 1/2 cup margarine
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup raisins
Instructions
- Sift together dry ingredients.
- Cut in shortening.
- Add milk, vanilla, eggs and raisins.
- Mix well.
- Roll out on a floured surface.
- Cut out cakes using a large round cookie cutter or the top end of a drinking glass.
- Fry in frying pan, turning once.
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.