Welsh Cakes Recipe
Welsh Cakes are traditional griddle cakes from Wales, made with a spiced dough containing raisins and cooked on a griddle until golden brown. These lightly sweetened treats have a delicate crumb and are perfect for a cozy snack or teatime accompaniment, dusted with powdered sugar for added sweetness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 20 Welsh cakes 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Welsh
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 ¼ cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp cumin
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp clove
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ cup sugar
- ⅔ cup raisins
Fats
- ½ cup vegetable shortening (chilled)
- ½ cup butter (cut into little cubes, chilled)
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs (beaten)
- ½ tbsp. milk (to mix, plus up to 1 tsp if needed)
For Serving
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the all purpose flour, baking powder, cumin, cinnamon, clove, and salt. Whisk thoroughly to ensure all spices and dry ingredients are evenly mixed.
- Cut in Fats: Using a pastry cutter, work the chilled butter and vegetable shortening into the flour mixture until it resembles loose crumbs. Then stir in the sugar and raisins evenly.
- Add Wet Ingredients and Form Dough: Pour the beaten eggs and half a tablespoon of milk into the mixture. Use a rubber spatula to gently combine everything just until a shaggy dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the texture tender. If the dough feels too dry, add a teaspoon of milk gradually, but do not add too much. The dough is ready when it clings together when pressed with your fingers.
- Roll and Cut Dough: On a floured surface, roll the dough to a thickness of about ¾ inch. Use a 2½ inch cookie cutter to cut circles. To lift the dough circles easily without tearing, use a pastry scraper if they stick to the surface. Gather any scraps, roll again, and cut more circles until all dough is used. This recipe yields approximately 20 cakes.
- Cook on Griddle: Heat a lightly greased griddle or non-stick pan over medium heat. Cook the Welsh cakes in batches, flipping them carefully to cook each side until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side. Serve the cakes warm, dusted generously with powdered sugar.
Notes
- Do not overmix the dough to keep the cakes light and tender.
- If the dough feels too dry, add milk sparingly to avoid making it sticky.
- Cooking on medium heat prevents burning while ensuring the cakes cook through.
- Use a pastry scraper to handle delicate dough circles easily without breaking.
- These cakes are best served warm but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Keywords: Welsh cakes, traditional Welsh recipe, griddle cakes, spiced cookies, raisin cakes, teatime treats, stovetop cakes
Find it online: https://dailysimplerecipe.com/welsh-cakes-recipe/
