21 October 2008

Teacakes

Fruited teacakes, not the marshmallow-y Tunnocks variety, always remind me of home. My Grandma always had teacakes in the house, and she was very pernickety about them, they had to be bought from the post office at the end of her street and they had to be that mornings batch, she didn't want them to have sat around. We would slice them open, toast them on the open fire, smear them with butter (always salted in my Granny's house) then we would 'write' our names on then by drizzling golden syrup off the end of a spoon over the hot, toasted teacake.
It took longer to toast and drizzle them than it took to eat them but it was fun, and they never tasted the same in anyone elses house.




I must admit I'd forgotten all about teacakes, instead I settle for a bought cinnamon and raisin loaf from the supermarket...oh the shame...in fact it is really delicious and my kids instead on a slice of it, toasted before bed.


Then we ran out of raisin bread.......tears before bedtime indeed.


After the kids went to bed I thought about replicating their favourite fruit loaf and that's when I remembered teacakes. I knew my kids would love them.




I found this recipe on my bookshelf, I should really look through books after I buy them. It comes from the 'Big book of bread' by Anne Sheasby, mentioned on the Focaccia thread. I tweaked it slightly by adding some much needed spice.
Fruited teacakes:

450g strong, plain white bread flour
1 tsp salt
25g butter, diced
1 1/2 tsp easy blend yeast
25g caster sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp mixed spice
115g currants/ raisins
about 250ml warm milk, plus extra for glazing.

Grease 2 baking sheets and set aside. Sift the flour and salt into a large bowl,then lightly run in the butter. Stir in the yeast, sugar, spices and dried fruit.

Make a well in the centre, then stir in enough milk, mixing to form a soft dough.

Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead until smooth. Shape into a round, then place in a oiled bowl, cover and leave to rise in a warm place until doubled in size.
Knock back the dough on a floured surface, then divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll and shape each piece into a round teacake and prick each one twice on top with a fork. Place on the baking sheets, cover and leave to rise for about 30 minutes, or until doubled in size.
Preheat the oven to 200c/ gas mark 6. Brush the teacakes with a little milk, then bake for 20-25 minutes, or until risen and golden brown. The teacakes will have a lovely soft top.
Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

To serve, split each teacake in half, toast lightly on a roaring open fire (a grill would suffice though) spread generously with butter and write you name on the top with golden syrup.

12 comments:

violets said...

Your teacakes look amazing, so delicious smothered in proper butter, yum.

I'm going to make these tomorrow as my children have the day off school.

I buy malt loaf sometimes as none of us have the patience to let it sit and mature for a few days, lol.

Vi xx

Rhyleysgranny said...

Oh these look very yummy indeed. I have that book. I must have a look
xxx

The Blonde Duck said...

Awww! I want teacakes. We just have biscuits here in TX!

Rosie said...

Your teacakes look so delicious!! I love them toasted and oozing with butter *giggle*

With close family roots in Yorkshire teacakes are popular teatime treat.

Rosie x

Anonymous said...

They look delicious. I'm with your granny on the salted butter idea, it is so much nicer.

We go away tomorrow for a few days, but I might just make these next weekend.

minnie

Oh my! Apple pie! said...

Minnie do give them a try, I have now stocked my freezer up with them, my children can't get enough of them.

Anonymous said...

Wow, your tea cakes look scrumptious!

Coby said...

I love the sound of these - I've never had them, but they seem a little like crossless hot-cross buns? When I was growing up, we only ever bought hot cross buns, never made them, so we always had our buns toasted with melted butter (also salted). I think the salty butter compliments the sweet buns well:) Must give these a go, it's making my mouth water looking at your photos!

Oh my! Apple pie! said...

Coby yes they are very much like crossless hot cross buns, not as well spiced though. Do try them they are delicious!

Maria♥ said...

Those teacakes look so yummy and I love them with lashings of butter!

Maria
x

Thinking About Food said...

They look flipping delish Erica, I don't know why but I only make fruit buns for Easter, seeing these makes me think I should make them more often!

Hortoris said...

Your recipe was as good as the photo. I linked to the photo I hope you do not mind. I'd love to link up with some apple pie too.

http://www.godsowncounty.co.uk/04/yorkshire/bread-bred-as-teacakes/