Welsh Cakes (Pice ar y Maen) Recipe

And for today, just one final recipe. You cannot have St David's day (or any other Welsh gathering or occasion for that matter) without Welsh cakes (pice ar y maen).

These spied and curranted griddle cakes are a true Welsh classic and a tea-time favourite up and down the nation. As easy to make as they are delicious, they go well with tea, but are just as good with a glass of wine or served with a savoury topping.

Welsh Cakes (Pice ar y Maen)

Serves: 10-12

These little griddle cakes, known in Welsh as 'pice ar y maen' (or by the Anglicization of piklets) are a true classic and a must-bake for St David's day. I have seen many recipes over the years, but my mother's version is still one of the best. They must contain nutmeg, or they really are not proper Welsh Cakes. Traditionally they were cooked on a bakestone, but today a griddle pan is most commonly used.

Ingredients:

225g (1/2 lb) self-raising flour
pinch of salt
1/2 tsp freshly-grated nutmeg
100g (3 1/2 oz) unsalted butter
50g (2 oz) caster sugar
50g (2 oz) currants
1 medium egg
2 tbsp milk

Method:

Sift together the flour and salt into a large bowl. Die the butter, add this and rub into the flour mix with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.

Stir in the nutmeg, sugar and currants. Form a well in the centre, add the egg and milk then, using a palette knife bring the ingredients together to form a stiff dough.

Flour a work surface, turn the dough out onto this and roll out to about 5mm thick. Use a fluted pastry cutter to cut into rounds (re-roll the scraps and roll more out).

Heat a griddle or a heavy-based, flat-bottomed frying pan, until moderately hot. Add the Welsh cakes and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until golden brown.

These can be served hot or cold and are best covered in butter or golden (corn) syrup.

For many more Welsh recipes, why not visit the Celtnet Welsh foods and recipes pages. If you would like other ideas for St David's day dishes, why not visit the Celtnet St David's day foods and recipes page.

Below you will find links to all the recipes on this blog that go together to make a St David's day meal:

Starters:
Cawl (Lamb and Vegetable Broth)
Risotto of Celtic Crab and Cardigan Bay Prawns

Main Courses:
Rustic Lamb Shoulder Roast
Salmon Baked with Potatoes and Thyme

Accompaniments:
Creamed Leeks

Desserts:
Pwdin Eryri (Snowdonia Pudding)

Other Dishes:
Welsh Cakes (Pice ar y Maen)