A while ago I wrote a brief manifesto centred on making the world a better place through the introduction of mandatory elevenses.
Should I ever be appointed ‘Food Tsar’ in order to help see the successful passage of this essential legislation, the Eccles Cake would almost certainly be the official flagship treat.
The finest example of this Lancastrian delicacy can be found not in their hometown of Eccles but at Restaurant St. John close to the City of London. Tightly packed with spiced currants and served warm, with a cup of tea on the side, I can think of no better way to ward off winter ills than taking 15 minutes out of your day to have your cake and eat it.
These are loosely based on the St. John recipe and should make six decent sized cakes.
Be sure to slightly overfill each one and pack it in tightly to full appreciate the glory of these delightful wonders.
NB - If you want to make a smaller or larger quantity just use the ratio one part butter to two parts sugar to four parts currants.
Extra caster sugar, for dusting.
Heat the sugar until it starts to melt and colour slightly then remove from the heat and add the butter. Allow to melt then add the currants. Stir well so each is coated with some of the caramel. Flavour with allspice and nutmeg – keep tasting it until it is slightly Christmassy and comfortingly warming – then leave to cool.
Roll out the pastry to about half a centimetre’s thickness then using a 9cm cutter press out as many discs as you can. Re-roll the leftover pastry and repeat until you have 12-14 discs. Top each with a spoonful of the filling and sandwich them together, making sure to press the sides together tightly.
Turn them over and neaten them up with your palms. Flatten the top and cut three times with a sharp knife (supposedly to symbolise the holy trinity). Brush with egg white and dip into caster sugar. Bake for 20-25 minutes until they are an inviting colour and the filling is oozing out of the top.
This is almost like the Chorley cake my Aunty makes. Adore currants and anything related. The step-by-step photos are beautiful.
Thanks Shayma. Yes, I think the Chorley cake is very similar.
Wow. I've never heard of this. I should use my leftover, homemade puff pastry for this dessert. Yummy! Great photos!
Your mandatory elevenses works well with my mandatory hot towels mid-morning!
But I have to say, I am not sure about the eccles cake at that point in the day. I recently had them for dessert with a nice wedge of Wensleydale and a glass of pudding wine for dessert and I think that is the perfect time of day for a warm eccles cake!
Ohhh, I've been craving Eccles cakes for ages! Can't find them for love nor money down in Southampton (I'm at uni at the moment). Definitely making these, thank you so much!
Oh this looks delicious! I love the sugared texture on the crusts.
LOVE the Eccles. Just fantastic looking little cakes mate. love the photos too.
I firmly believe in having my cake and eating it and then having seconds.
They look delicious! Have to try them asap!
I think I'm getting envious of your gorgeous photography!
Lovely photographs. Looks very appetizing too!
Great recipe and photographs, thanks for sharing this with us all!