Welsh Recipe: Traditional Welsh Cakes (Cacen Gri)

Here we go with another recipe from Wales. This Welsh Recipe is a favourite with both locals and visitors to Wales. In Wales, Welsh Cakes are known by many names (depending on which part of Wales you live in) such as: picau ar y maen, pice bach, cacen gri or teisen radell

Welsh recipe Welsh Cakes are a traditional Welsh snack, sometimes called Bakestones or Griddle scones because they were originally cooked on a bakestone - a cast iron griddle about half an inch thick which was placed on a cooker or a fire. These days Welsh cakes tend to be cooked either on a griddle or in a heavy frying pan.

Welsh cakes are traditionally served either hot or cold, dusted with caster sugar and accompanied by a nice pot of tea.

The whole cooking procedure for this traditional Welsh recipe should take no more than about twenty minutes or so. Allow 15 minutes to prepare, and about 5-6 minutes for cooking.

Ingredients.

• 4oz/100g of butter
• 8oz/225g of self raising flour
• 3oz/75g of mixed sultanas/currants
• 3oz/75g of caster sugar
• 1 large egg - beaten
• 1 teaspoon of mixed spice
• Grated rind of half a lemon
• Pinch of salt
• A little milk (if needed) for blending

Sieve together the salt spice, and flour into a mixing bowl. Rub in the fats until you get the consistency of fine breadcrumbs. Add in the lemon rind, dried fruit and sugar. Pour the beaten egg in and stir well to make a nice firm dough. You can always add a tiny drop of milk if the dough mix is too dry. Add it a tiny splash at a time to prevent the dough becoming too sloppy.

Using a floured surface, press or roll the dough until it is about 1/4"/5mm thick, (about the same thickness as your little finger) then using a pastry cutter, cut the dough into discs of about 1 1/2" or 2" - 4 or 5 cm. Or if you prefer, you can cut it into squares.

Bake your Welsh Cakes on a medium hot griddle (or large frying pan - lightly butter the base), for about 3 mins on each side turning them once, until they become golden brown on both sides (but remaining a little soft in the middle). Dust your Welsh Cakes with caster sugar while they are still hot.

Although not part of the traditional Welsh recipe, Welsh cakes can be served with lightly whipped cream and preserves in the manner of scones, I prefer to eat my Welsh Cakes hot, with a nice cup of tea. Welsh Cakes are also delicious cold and will keep for up to ten days in a tightly sealed container.

If you have enjoyed this Welsh Recipe and would like to try some more, I have listed a few other Welsh recipes below for you.