Vegan Welsh Cakes Recipe
Embarking on a backpacking adventure across the UK and Europe when I was younger was a journey filled with discovery, and for me, one of the culinary highlights was the iconic Welsh Cake.
These delectable treats were a ubiquitous presence throughout Wales, captivating my taste buds with their unique blend of scone, cookie, and pancake, generously infused with dried fruit. Inspired by those backpacking days, I embarked on a mission to create vegan Welsh Cakes, a veganised spin on this Welsh classic, resulting in an incredible vegan Welsh cake recipe that captures the essence of its traditional counterpart.
Welsh Cakes are more than a sweet snack; they are a cultural emblem of Wales. Traditionally crafted with plain flour, sultanas, raisins, and/or currants, these delightful creations once featured lard in their recipes. However, for our vegan adaptation, we turn to a high-quality, salty vegan butter block to preserve the authenticity and taste.
Ingredients of Vegan Welsh Cakes:
If you’re looking to make your own vegan Welsh cakes, then get ready to prepare some simple pantry essentials:
Plain Flour
Baking Powder
Cinnamon Powder
Nutmeg
Vegan butter block
Caster Sugar
Sultanas
Non-dairy milk (I prefer using soy)
Are Welsh Cakes the Same as Scones?
Often mistaken for scones due to their appearance, Welsh Cakes possess a distinctive flavour profile and texture that sets them apart from their counterparts. While both may share a buttery richness, vegan Welsh Cakes offer a unique experience with the addition of dried fruit, creating a taste that resonates with anyone fortunate enough to indulge.
Do You Eat Welsh Cakes Hot or Cold?
One delightful aspect of Welsh Cakes is their versatility in serving. These vegan Welsh Cakes can be enjoyed either hot or cold, each offering a distinct experience. When served hot, the vegan Welsh Cakes reveal a comforting warmth, accentuating the buttery richness and creating a delightful contrast with the cool coating of caster sugar. On the other hand, enjoying them cold provides a different pleasure, allowing the flavours to meld and intensify over time. The choice between hot and cold Welsh Cakes is a matter of personal preference.
The Vegan Welsh Cake Recipe:
Creating these mouth-watering vegan Welsh Cakes begins with a flavoured dough mixture, combining plain flour with spices like cinnamon powder and nutmeg. A critical element is the crumbled vegan butter block, contributing to a fine breadcrumb-like texture. To enhance the sweetness, caster sugar and dried fruit, with sultanas being a prime choice, are incorporated into the dough.
Cooking is a delight, as these vegan Welsh Cakes transform into golden brown wonders through pan-frying. The final touch involves coating them in additional caster sugar, elevating these treats to one of the best vegan sweets you'll ever savour!
Reflecting on my backpacking days, the allure of Welsh Cakes became an inspiration to recreate this culinary delight in a vegan form. The journey across Wales, often overlooked in the grandeur of European destinations, highlighted the significance of regional specialties and the cultural identity they hold.
Veganising traditional recipes is not just about substituting ingredients; it's about preserving the essence of the dish. In this easy vegan Welsh Cake recipe, the transition from traditional lard to a high-quality vegan butter block ensures that the flavour remains authentic while embracing a cruelty-free approach.
So, get ready to enjoy these irresistible vegan Welsh Cakes, a delightful marriage of tradition and compassionate living. As you savour each golden-brown bite, let the flavours transport you to the charming landscapes of Wales, celebrating the culture and sweetness that make Welsh Cakes a true gem in the world of vegan treats.
INGREDIENTS
Vegan Welsh Cakes - Vegan Recipes
2 cups plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon powder
1 tsp nutmeg
3/4 cup vegan butter block
1/3 cup caster sugar (+more for coating)
1/3 cup sultanas
6 - 8 tbsp of non-dairy milk
METHOD
Place flour, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg in a large mixing bowl. Mix to combine
Add cold vegan butter and rub together with flour mixture until it resembles a fine bread crumb texture
Add caster sugar and sultanas and mix to combine
Add about half of milk to the mixture and combine together with your hands, gradually adding the rest of the milk. You eventually want to make a soft ball that isn't sticky
Place dough ball onto a lightly floured surface and roll out dough until it's about 2cm thick.
Cut into equal sized circles using a circle cutter (or glass if you don't have one), and re-roll off cuts to make more. The mixture should make about a dozen+ vegan Welsh cakes
Heat some butter in a frypan on medium heat. Place Welsh cakes onto hot pan and cook for 2-3 minutes each side or until lightly browned
With some caster sugar on a plate, place cooked vegan Welsh cakes and cover on both sides
