WELSH CAKES

One of the best things we found out about Wales is Welsh Cakes! Yum! We found a little shop that made them right there on big griddle in their store. You could buy 12 of them for 4.50 pounds. They are a cross between a sort of biscuity sugar cookie and a pancake. Sounds like an odd combination, but they are so good - especially warm right off of the griddle! They had a lemon white chocolate, one with currants, and a apple cinnamon flavor. I asked my husband which flavor he liked best. He said, "Flavor? They were different flavors?" He ate them so fast he didn't even pause to notice. I liked the lemon white chocolate best. Some people put jam on them. Maybe that is for plain ones. I liked these and wished I could have bought a package to take home, but I knew they probably wouldn't even have lasted the trip to the airport. :0) Here's a recipe I found online for Welsh Cakes.
Welsh Cakes Recipe:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup granulated white sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground mace
1/2 cup cold unsalted butter
1/3 cup currants or raisins
1/4 cup chopped mixed peel
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 - 4 tablespoons milk
--In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and mace. Cut the butter into small pieces and blend into the flour mixture with a pastry blender or two knives. The mixture should look like coarse crumbs. Stir in the currants and mixed peel. Add the beaten egg and enough milk to form a light dough.
--Knead the dough gently on a lightly floured surface and roll to a thickness of 1/4 inch (5 mm). Cut into rounds using a 2 1/2 inch (6 cm) cookie cutter.
Lightly butter a griddle, heavy frying pan, or electric frying pan and heat to medium hot. Cook the welsh cakes for about 5 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown, but still soft in the middle. Immediately after baking, sprinkle with granulated white sugar. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Welsh cakes can also be eaten buttered or split in half and spread with jam.
--Makes about 20 - 2 1/2 inch cakes.
Note: Welsh Cakes can also be baked in a 350 degree F (177 degree C) oven. Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake for about 7 - 9 minutes on each side or until set and very lightly browned yet still soft inside (they won't get as brown as when you cook them on a griddle).