Welsh Cookies (aka Welsh Cakes) Recipe (2024)

Monday, December 30, 2019

How to make Welsh cookies. Also called Welsh cakes, this delicious dessert is fried on a griddle and packed with a unique flavor of currants and nutmeg.

Although my parents and grandparents were born in the United States, my grandmother had several family member in Wales. She would write them letters and visit them, so she passed on some of the food and culture.

My absolute favorite Welsh treat is this Welsh cookie recipe. Welsh cookies, also called Welsh cakes, are unlike other cookies. They are made similar to a dough, then they are cooked on a griddle and then dipped in sugar.

Welsh Cookies (aka Welsh Cakes) Recipe (1)

They are pretty easy to make, but the currants can be hard to find. My grocery store only carries them in the fall though Christmas, so I stock up or order them online if I need them though the year.

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My grandmother used to make these all the time. She would spend hours making several batches of these delicious cookies and freeze the leftovers. She would put them in an ice cream bucket and put them in her big freezer for later.

When someone stopped by, she would have a grandkid sneak down to the basem*nt to get the ice cream bucket and set them out on a plate. In about an hour, we had delicious cookies.

My grandmother always made these with a scalloped cookie cutter. I'm not sure what the significance of that cookie cutter was, but I think someone in the family made it. She only used it for Welsh cookies though.

When she passed, everyone wanted that cookie cutter. I didn't get it, but I did find one similar. Mine has smaller scallops, so they don't turn out quite the same. But they taste the same, and that's all that matters.

More dessert recipes I'm sure you'll love:

  • Easy Rice Pudding Recipe
  • Baked Pumpkin Doughnuts
  • Blueberry Mug Cake Recipe

What is the Best Way to Eat a Welsh Cake (Cookie)?

They are delicious warm or room temperature. I had plenty of them still partially frozen from the deep freeze, but I will admit that they are better warm.

If you do want to reheat them, it's best to heat them in a pan on the stove rather than microwave them. You can also heat them at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for three to four minutes.

You can dip them in sugar like I do or leave them plain and eat them with jam or butter.

Why Are They Called Welsh Cakes (Cookies)?

I grew up calling them Welsh cookies, but the Internet tells me that they are actually called Welsh cakes. They are also sometimes called bakestones or griddle cakes.

They were traditionally made on a cast iron griddle over an open fire. I use an electric skillet to make mine, and I've also made them in a pan on the stove.

Welsh Cookies (aka Welsh Cakes) Recipe (2)

How Long Do Welsh Cakes (Cookies) Last?

Welsh cakes will last about a week in an airtight container. You can also freeze them. They freeze beautifully and don't get soft when they thaw.

What are Currants?

You really do need to use currants for this recipe. You might be tempted to add raisins, but they will not taste the same.

Currants do come from grapes, specifically the Black Corinth grape. They are dried and give a sweet and flavorful dried fruit.

They are sometimes called Zante currants because the grapes were grown on the island of Zante south of Greece.

Welsh Cookies (aka Welsh Cakes) Recipe (3)

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups white flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup vegetable shortening
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 cup currants
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extractWelsh Cookies (aka Welsh Cakes) Recipe (4) (or make your own vanilla extract)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 cup milk

Directions

Step #1

Add the white flour, salt, and vegetable shortening to a large bowl. Use a pastry blender to mix like you would a pie dough. It will be crumbly.

Welsh Cookies (aka Welsh Cakes) Recipe (5)


Step #2

Add the baking powder, nutmeg, currants, sugar, vanilla extract, eggs, and milk to the flour mixture. Stir well to combine.

Welsh Cookies (aka Welsh Cakes) Recipe (6)


Step #3

Roll to 1/4" thick. Cut out. If I made this when it's warm in the house, I put the dough in the fridge for 20 minutes to chill so it holds together easier.

Welsh Cookies (aka Welsh Cakes) Recipe (7)


Step #4

Cook on a greased griddle at 300 degrees until brown, about 3-4 minutes. Flip and cook again until brown.

Welsh Cookies (aka Welsh Cakes) Recipe (8)


Step #5

Remove from griddle and dip in white sugar. Flip to cover. Set on a baking rack to cool.

Welsh Cookies (aka Welsh Cakes) Recipe (9)


Yum! These Welsh cookies are delicious. They make a great snack with tea or just because. They aren't sweet, and the currants give them a different flavor than other cookies.

Welsh Cookies (aka Welsh Cakes) Recipe (10)


welsh cookie, welsh cake, cookie, dessert, currants

dessert

Welsh

Yield: 32

Author: Cari @ Koti Beth

Welsh Cookies (aka Welsh Cakes) Recipe (11)

Welsh Cookies Recipe

prep time: 15 Mcook time: 1 hourtotal time: 1 H & 15 M

How to make traditional Welsh cookies (Welsh cakes).

ingredients:

  • 2 1/2 cups white flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup vegetable shortening
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 cup currants
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or make your own vanilla extract)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 cup milk

instructions:

How to cook Welsh Cookies Recipe

  1. Add the white flour, salt, and vegetable shortening to a large bowl. Use a pastry blender to mix like you would a pie dough. It will be crumbly.
  2. Add the baking powder, nutmeg, currants, sugar, vanilla extract, eggs, and milk to the flour mixture. Stir well to combine.
  3. Roll to 1/4" thick. Cut out. If I made this when it's warm in the house, I put the dough in the fridge for 20 minutes to chill so it holds together easier.
  4. Cook on a greased griddle at 300 degrees until brown, about 3-4 minutes. Flip and cook again until brown.
  5. Remove from griddle and dip in white sugar. Flip to cover. Set on a baking rack to cool.

Calories
136.18

Fat (grams)
6.86

Sat. Fat (grams)
2.73

Carbs (grams)
17.21

Fiber (grams)
0.58

Net carbs
16.63

Sugar (grams)
9.32

Protein (grams)
1.65

Sodium (milligrams)
30.21

Cholesterol (grams)
15.37

https://www.kotibeth.com/2019/12/welsh-cookies-aka-welsh-cakes-recipe.html

Copyright © Koti Beth 2019. All rights reserved.

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Welsh Cookies (aka Welsh Cakes) Recipe (12)


Welsh Cookies (aka Welsh Cakes) Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What do Welsh people call Welsh cakes? ›

Welsh cakes (Welsh: picau ar y maen, pice bach, cacennau cri or teisennau gradell), also bakestones or pics, are a traditional sweet bread in Wales. They have been popular since the late 19th century with the addition of fat, sugar and dried fruit to a longer standing recipe for flat-bread baked on a griddle.

What pan is best for Welsh cakes? ›

This Welsh cakes recipe, which follows a classic recipe and is cooked on a griddle, is hard to beat. Whip up a batch for St. David's Day – they are incredibly easy to make and if you don't have a traditional griddle, then a heavy cast iron frying pan can be used instead.

What is the slang for Welsh cakes? ›

' Some may casually use 'cêcs' in their conversations, which is the Welsh slang for 'cakes. ' It's indeed one of those words that sparks conversations due to its unique variations!

Why do my Welsh cakes fall apart? ›

If there are loads of crumbly bits its probably too dry. You want to be aiming for a nice soft dough that stays together but isn't sticky and messy!

What is a Welsh girl called? ›

Welsh·​wom·​an ˈwelsh-ˌwu̇-mən. ˈwelch- : a woman who is a native or inhabitant of Wales.

How are you supposed to eat Welsh Cakes? ›

Cakes may be eaten straight from the package however most people prefer them warmed. Warming takes 8-10 seconds for one cake in a 1500W microwave, 10-12 seconds for a whole pack. If heating in an oven, 2-3 mins @ 275 will usually do.

What is the signature Welsh dish? ›

Dishes such as cawl, Welsh rarebit, laverbread, Welsh cakes, bara brith (literally "speckled bread") or the Glamorgan sausage have all been regarded as symbols of Welsh food. Cawl, pronounced in a similar way to the English word "cowl", can be regarded as Wales' national dish.

Why are Welsh cakes so popular? ›

Made from simple pantry items like flour, sugar, milk and butter, Welsh Cakes are considered a special treat since they take a great deal of time and effort to make. Being griddled, they pretty much must be made by hand and this is why there are very few commerical makers of these cakes in the world.

Are Welsh cakes the same as scones? ›

f you're not familiar with Welsh Cakes, they're a little bit like a scone but cooked in the same way as a pancake. Unlike scones you don't tend to serve Welsh Cakes with cream and jam or any accompaniment.

How do you say hello in Welsh slang? ›

The simplest way to greet someone in Welsh is by saying “helô”. This Welsh word can be used on both formal and informal occasions. An informal way of saying hello in Welsh is 'haia', which is similar to the English 'hiya'.

What does DAP mean in Welsh? ›

dap (plural daps) (West Country, Somerset, Bristol, Wales, usually in the plural) A plimsoll.

What is the Welsh word for snob? ›

Crachach in Welsh means 'petty gentry; conceited upstarts, snobs'. It is most common in the dialects of south Wales. Crachach is derived from crach, which has the basic meaning of 'scabs (on the skin)' and a secondary meaning of 'snobs'.

Why are my Welsh cakes burning? ›

Getting the temperature of your griddle or bakestone correct is the key to this Welsh cake recipe. If it's too hot the cakes will burn before they are cooked through. Too low and the texture will be dry.

Can you freeze homemade Welsh cakes? ›

Allow the Welsh cakes to cool on a wire rack then open freeze them on a tray, before transferring to a freezer container or bag. This will allow you to remove just one or two at a time. Freeze for up to 4 months. Allow to defrost at room temperature for about an hour.

What temperature to bake a cake? ›

The majority of cakes are baked in a regular oven at 180c (350F/Gas Mk 4), on the centre shelf of the oven.

What is a Welsh bakestone called? ›

Welshcakes are cooked on a bakestone. This is a flat cast iron cooking plate – like a griddle only thicker. The bakestone is also called a 'planc' in certain parts of Wales and in North Wales it may be referred to as 'maen'.

What is the national dessert of Wales? ›

Bara brith: our traditional Welsh recipe

Bara Brith is a rich fruit loaf made with tea. Here's our recipe for making this favourite Welsh tea-time treat.

What does yaki dar mean in Wales? ›

How do you say cheers in Welsh? The Welsh word for cheers is 'iechyd da'. It is a common phrase used in Wales, even among those who don't speak Welsh fluently. Over the years, the saying has become anglicised among the English-speaking in Wales, and is often pronounced 'yaki dah'.

What does Bara Brith mean in Welsh? ›

History. Bara Brith derived its name from the Welsh language, bara meaning bread and brith translating as speckled.

References

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