Delightfully flaky and tender with a melt-in-your-mouth texture, these Welsh cakes are studded with sweet currants and infused with a subtle hint of mace, making them utterly irresistible. This is a truly authentic Welsh Cakes recipe passed down through generations.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup caster sugar (do not substitute; to make your own, pulse granulated sugar in a blender until ultra-fine. Avoid using powdered sugar)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mace (a fragrant spice often used in traditional baking. Highly recommended, though nutmeg can be substituted if necessary)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 ounces lard, chilled (about 4 tablespoons; essential for achieving the perfect texture of Welsh cakes)
[How to render your own lard—it’s cheaper and better!] - 2 ounces butter, chilled and cubed
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup dried currants
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
- Granulated sugar for coating finished cakes
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, caster sugar, baking powder, salt, mace, and cinnamon. Add the lard and butter, working it in with your fingers or a food processor until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the currants.
- Mix in the beaten egg, gradually adding milk as needed, until the dough comes together into a soft, pliable consistency. It should not be wet or sticky. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. (The dough can be prepared ahead and chilled until ready to use.)
- Roll out the dough on a floured or non-stick surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a biscuit cutter to cut out rounds. Gather and re-roll the scraps to make additional rounds.
- Lightly butter a cast iron pan and heat over medium. Place the rounds in the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown. Lower the heat if necessary to prevent burning before the centers are cooked through.
- Let the cakes cool for a minute, then roll them in granulated sugar while still warm to coat all sides.
- Serve slightly warm for the best flavor. Reheat in a skillet, toaster, warmed oven, or microwave (for a few seconds if short on time).
NUTRITION (PER SERVING)
- Calories: 125 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Sodium: 72mg
- Potassium: 102mg
- Sugar: 7g
