4.9 from 84 votes
Welsh Cakes for St. David's Day
Welsh Cakes are small, lightly spiced griddle-cooked cakes featuring currants and a tender crumb. This recipe uses cold butter, mixed spice, and buttermilk to create a soft dough that cooks quickly on medium heat, delivering golden brown cakes with a slightly crisp outside and warm, tender interior. They can be enjoyed fresh or reheated the next day, making them an approachable treat for St. David's Day or tea time.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings:
24
cakes
Calories:
93 kcal
Course:
Bread, Baked Goods
Cuisine:
British, Scottish
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp mixed spice (see printable recipe below)
- ½ cup butter (cold, good quality)
- ⅓ cup sugar (plus more for sprinkling on top)
- ½ cup currants
- 1 large egg (slightly beaten)
- 1 Tbsp buttermilk or more, as needed
Instructions
Make the dough:
- Sift the flour, baking powder and mixed spice into a mixing bowl then rub in the butter.
- Stir in the sugar and currants.
- Stir in the egg and buttermilk and mix to a soft dough. Add more milk if necessary.
Cup of Yum
Roll out and cut the dough:
- Roll the dough to about 1/3" thickness.
- Cut with either a fluted or straight cutter about 3"/ 7.5cm in diameter. Welsh cakes are traditionally quite small, and not like a more standard scone size.
Cook the Welsh Cakes:
- Heat a griddle to medium heat and cook the Welsh Cakes for a few minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked in the center.
- Place on a cooling rack or tea towel, but not for too long. These are absolutely delicious when sprinkled with a little sugar and served right away!
- However, I do agree with Paul who says that they're also really good the next day if you pop them in a toaster or heat them any way you like. I hope you try them as I think you'll be very happy with the recipe!
Notes
- These cakes freeze well; reheat them in a toaster or air fryer for a couple of minutes to restore warmth and texture.
Nutrition Information
Serving
2 cakes
Calories
93kcal
(5%)
Carbohydrates
12g
(4%)
Protein
2g
(4%)
Fat
5g
(8%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.2g
(1%)
Monounsaturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Trans Fat
0.2g
(10%)
Cholesterol
19mg
(6%)
Sodium
64mg
(3%)
Potassium
26mg
(1%)
Fiber
0.3g
(1%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
147IU
(3%)
Vitamin C
4mg
(4%)
Calcium
22mg
(2%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 24 cakes
Amount Per Serving
Calories 93
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 2 cakes | |
| Calories | 93kcal | 5% |
| Carbohydrates | 12g | 4% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 5g | 8% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.2g | 1% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 19mg | 6% |
| Sodium | 64mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 26mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 0.3g | 1% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 147IU | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 22mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.