English Hop Pickers Oast Cakes Recipes

NOVA SCOTIA OATCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Dissolve baking soda in hot water (add a little more water if needed).
• Combine dry ingredients with butter, then add dissolved baking soda.
• Mold into a dough ball, then press it out onto a baking sheet. You can roll it out with a dough pin to make it thin as you want it to be (I recommend about 1/4 inch thick.)
• Cover and chill for 10-15 minutes to firm up the dough, then remove the oatcakes and score down the middle and across to make 8-10 squares (you'll use these lines for clean cuts after it's done baking).
• Bake for 12-15 minutes until they are golden brown. They should be crisp and crunchy, not chewy.
• Separate the cakes along the score lines with a thin knife and then allow them to cool.
• Enjoy with your favorite coffee or tea or add them to your day pack for some quick energy during a hike or a long road trip.

STAFFORDSHIRE OATCAKES - TRADITIONAL ENGLISH HOTCAKES - PANCAKES

Steps:

• Pour the milk and water in a saucepan and warm gently on the hob. This is just to create good conditions for the yeast when the batter is mixed so, as always, keep it below 30°C.
• Add all of the dry ingredients to a bowl and mix together before starting to whisk in all of the warm milk and water. I was looking to get a reasonably thin batter and 600ml did the trick on this occasion. Of course, add less or more milk and water as the situation dictates. Once the batter is mixed, cover with plastic wrap and leave in a warm room for about an hour, allowing the yeast to make the batter nice and bubbly.
• When it's ready, give the batter a gentle stir, smear a little butter or oil on a hot, non-stick skillet and add enough of the batter to thinly coat the bottom. Cook on one side until golden (about 3 minutes) and gently flip over and cook the other side for another couple of minutes.
• Note: As oatcakes contain less flour, and wholemeal flour at that, they contain less gluten and will be more prone to tear. I'm guessing this is why people bulk them up with plain flour, but it's by no means a problem, it just means a gentler hand is required. No vigorous skillet-shaking.
• This batter will yield about 6 large oatcakes. Don't just stick to savoury fillings, either. Fruit, berries, crème fraîche, syrup, ice cream are all brilliant with these pancakes.

ENGLISH TOFFEE CAKE

Steps:

• Bake cake as directed, in 2 9-inch layer pans. Cool completely, then slice cakes in half so you have 4 rounds.
• Pour Kahlúa into a glass measuring cup; sprinkle with gelatin.
• Let soak 5 minutes, then heat in microwave for 20 seconds, or until warm to the touch so gelatin will dissolve when stirred.
• Beat whipping cream; gradually add sugar until soft peaks form.
• Fold in the dissolved gelatin mixture.
• Lay cake rounds on counter. Evenly divide whipped cream on each cake, leaving sides bare.
• Sprinkle each layer with chopped bars.
• Stack cakes. Refrigerate at least 2 hours uncovered, to allow gelatin to set.

ENGLISH ORANGE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Cream sugar and butter together with beater until fluffy.
• Add flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, milk, and eggs; mix until all is incorporated.
• Add one orange which you have removed imperfections from, quartered, deseeded, and then pureed in a blender or food processor (yes, rind and all).
• (Optional) Stir raisins and walnuts into batter.
• Pour into greased cake mold with a center hole. Bake for 50-60 minutes until knife inserted comes out with moist crumbs. Let cool to warm and overturn onto a plate.
• While cake is still warm, mix the juice of one orange with 1/2 cup sugar until the sugar dissolves (may need to heat slightly). Slowly pour by spoonfuls all over the cake.