Traditional Welsh Desserts Food

TRADITIONAL WELSH CAKES

Steps:

• In a bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, mace and cinnamon. Mix in the lard and butter using your fingers or a food processor until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the currants and stir to combine. Add the beaten egg and work it into the mixture adding a little milk as needed until you have a soft dough. It should not be wet or sticky. Wrap the dough and refrigerate for 30 minutes. (Dough can be made well in advance and chilled until ready to use.)
• Roll the dough out onto a floured or non-stick surface about 1/4 inch thick. Cut out rounds using a biscuit cutter. Gather up the scraps, knead together and roll out again to cut the remaining rounds.
• Heat and lightly butter a cast iron pan over medium heat (I lightly butter it to later help the sugar adhere to the cakes when they're sprinkled). Add the cakes and cook on each side until lightly browned, about 3-4 minutes (lower the heat if needed to prevent the outside from burning before the interior is done).
• Let them cool for about a minute. While the Welsh cakes are still warm, place them in a small bowl of sugar to coat all sides. Best eaten while a little warm. Reheat Welsh Cakes in a pan, toaster, or warmed oven (or if in a hurry, in the microwave for a few seconds).

PWDIN EVA (WELSH APPLE DESSERT)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Place apple chunks, brown sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice and cinnamon in bowl, and toss until apples are well coated. Transfer to a 9-inch (2-liter) baking dish, and set aside.
• Beat the butter and white sugar in a medium size bowl until pale and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla. Sift the flour into the bowl, and stir to incorporate flour into the butter mixture.
• Spread the dough evenly over the apples. Place the baking dish in preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes or until the topping is lightly browned and cooked evenly.
• Lightly dust the top with a bit of white sugar, and serve immediately with custard or whipped cream. Or let cool, and serve later at room temperature. TIP: This will freeze well for up to 3 months if wrapped well. Defrost thoroughly, then reheat thawed pudding at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes.