Welsh cakes, also known as pice ar y maen in Welsh, are delectable griddle cakes popular in Wales and parts of Britain. These treats are often associated with festivities and cozy gatherings, with their origins dating back centuries. Whether you are a local or a curious traveler, indulging in a freshly baked Welsh cake is a delightful experience that captures the essence of Welsh culinary heritage. From traditional recipes passed down through generations to modern interpretations with unique twists, there is a Welsh cake recipe out there to suit every palate. Let's embark on a culinary journey to uncover the secrets of creating the perfect Welsh cake, the quintessential teatime treat that embodies Welsh pride and comfort.
Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!
PICAU AR Y MAEN (WELSH CAKES)
Serve these raisin-studded griddle cakes hot or cold, with butter, jam or ice cream, as a mid-morning snack, or as a stand-alone dessert.
Provided by Tom Parker Bowles
Categories HarperCollins Brunch Dessert Breakfast snack Raisin Butter Egg Milk/Cream Vegetarian Soy Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Kid-Friendly Pan-Fry
Yield Makes 20
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Sift the flour, baking powder, allspice and salt together into a large mixing bowl. Add the butter and vegetable shortening to the flour mixture and rub together with clean fingertips for 5-7 minutes, until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar and raisins and combine.
- Mix the eggs and milk together, then pour into the flour mixture and stir until it forms a stiff dough. Bring the dough together with your hands in the mixing bowl until it forms a ball. Turn the dough on to a lightly floured surface and roll it out to a thickness of 1cm. Dip a 6cm round cutter in flour and cut 20 rounds from the dough.
- Melt a knob of butter in a heavy-bottomed frying pan over a medium heat and fry the rounds in batches for 3-4 minutes on each side, until crisp and golden. Serve warm, or keep in an airtight container for up to a week and reheat gently before serving.
WELSH CAKES
Pice ar y maen, a Welsh teatime treat passed on through generations and still as popular as ever. Perfect for making with the children
Provided by Good Food team
Categories Afternoon tea, Buffet, Snack, Treat
Time 16m
Yield Makes 16
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Tip the flour, sugar, mixed spice, baking powder and a pinch of salt into a bowl. Then, with your fingers, rub in the butter and lard until crumbly. Mix in the currants. Work the egg into the mixture until you have soft dough, adding a splash of milk if it seems a little dry - it should be the same consistency as shortcrust pastry.
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured work surface to the thickness of your little finger. Cut out rounds using a 6cm cutter, re-rolling any trimmings. Grease a flat griddle pan or heavy frying pan with lard, and place over a medium heat. Cook the Welsh cakes in batches, for about 3 mins each side, until golden brown, crisp and cooked through. Delicious served warm with butter and jam, or simply sprinkled with caster sugar. Cakes will stay fresh in a tin for 1 week.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 138 calories, Fat 6 grams fat, SaturatedFat 1 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 20 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 9 grams sugar, Fiber 9 grams fiber, Protein 2 grams protein, Sodium 0.13 milligram of sodium
WELSH CAKES (PICE AR Y MAEN)
Traditional little cakes which are very popular throughout Wales, these were originally cooked on a bakestone and often served to travellers upon their arrival at one of their many Welsh Inns. I first tasted them in Northern Wales when we lived in Chester and this was the recipe given to me for them at the tea room where we first were treated to them, in Llangollen, (prounounced Clangocklin.) Situated at the side of the river which runs through the centre of the town we spent a lovely few hours there one sunny afternoon.
Provided by MarieRynr
Categories < 30 Mins
Time 21m
Yield 12 cakes
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, allspice, and salt in a large bowl. Rub in the butter and lard with your fingertips. Add the sugar and raisins.
- Beat the eggs and add to the mixture along with a little milk, only using enough to make a fairly stiff dough. Roll out on a lightly floured surface to the thickness of about 1/4 inch and cut into 2 inch rounds with a pastry cutter.
- Cook on a greased griddle or heavy based frying pan over medium high heat for about 3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Dust with sugar and serve warm.
WELSH CAKES
From Celtic Cookery, by Iris Price Jones. "The Welsh name for these is Pice ar y Maen. I'm not sure what the derivation of Pice is, but Maen means stone - the bakestone or griddle that the cakes are cooked on. This method of baking, with the closer contact with heat than when baking in the oven seems to accentuate the flavour and to give the cakes a lovely brown crust". A large heavy frying pan is a good substitute for a griddle.
Provided by Mme M
Categories Dessert
Time 45m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Rub the butter and lard into the flour, and add sugar, fruit, lemon rind and spices. Mix with beaten egg and a little milk to a stiff, pastry-like dough.
- Roll out 1/4" thick, and cut into 2" rounds. Grease the griddle or pan with a little fat and put it on a moderate heat. Cook the cakes about 3 minutes on each side, turning over as they become golden brown and risen. If they brown too quickly, turn the heat down.
- Sprinkle with a little sugar while still warm. Eat hot or cold. They keep fresh for several days if stored in an air-tight tin.
Tips:
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your Welsh cakes.
- Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing will make the cakes tough.
- Let the batter rest for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This will allow the flavors to meld and the batter to thicken slightly.
- Cook the cakes over medium heat. This will help them to cook evenly without burning.
- Serve the cakes warm, with butter and jam. This is the traditional way to enjoy Welsh cakes.
Conclusion:
Welsh cakes are a delicious and easy-to-make treat. They're perfect for breakfast, lunch, or a snack. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can enjoy these traditional Welsh cakes in your own home. So what are you waiting for? Give this recipe a try today!
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love