Made with a few simple ingredients from your baking cupboard, this Welsh delicacy takes under 15 minutes from start to finish.
These little cakes are traditionally cooked on a Bakestone but, have no fear, all you need is your trusty cast iron frying pan. Coming from a small town in Pembrokeshire baking these delicious treats was a regular occurrence from a young age in our households.
Keep this Welsh delicacy alive by baking this simple recipe in the heart of our homes (the kitchen) with the little ones aside. After all, baking with our loved ones and cooking at home makes family and tradition.
What Are Welsh Cakes?
Baked with love since the 19th century these traditional Welsh Cakes or Bakestones were a favourite of the miners and children alike for packed lunches down the mines or for afternoon tea.
Featuring many ingredients as a scone, but cooked almost like a pancake, the light texture is unique to these traditional Welsh treasures. Still indulged today all over Wales the Welsh Cake has many simple tasty variations and are easy to bake for all the family.
Welsh Cake Variations
Once you have the hang of this delicious treat, here are a few fun variations to explore throughout the year!
- Chocolate Chip – Use the same method as the traditional cakes but instead of currents add chocolate chips! You can use milk, dark and white chocolate there is no limit. See my Chocolate Chip Welsh Cake recipe here.
ㅤ - Cheese – These are a great variation to the more savoury pallet. Again, replace the currents with the cheese and at the end do not sugar your Cakes. This variation is great served with butter (see the recipe here).
ㅤ - Dried Cranberries – Fantastic for the festive season! Add cranberries as well as currents or replace them altogether. Add some cinnamon and you have the taste of Christmas in Wales (see the recipe here).
ㅤ - Heart Shapes – As well as flavours, you can cut your cakes into heart shapes for a cute addition to your tea tray!
Having Trouble? Here Are Some Tips
If your Welsh Cake recipe isn't quite going to plan, here are some troubleshooting tips that might help:
Why Are My Welsh Cakes Dry?
If your cakes are dry when they are cooked it's because your dough did not have enough moisture. Make sure you add enough milk and don’t forget our chef's tip when adding it.
Why Are My Welsh Cakes Burning?
Getting the temperate right on your pan is essential or they will burn before they are cooked through. You want your iron pan at a good medium heat allowing the dough to cook slowly with a golden-brown finish.
Related Questions
Are Welsh Cakes Vegan?
No, Welsh Cakes are not vegan because the traditional recipe contains milk and butter. However, you can substitute these for plant-based alternatives. See my vegan Welsh Cake recipe to find out more.
How Long Do Welsh Cakes Last?
Cakes will last one week after being cooked but remember you can freeze them to keep them for longer. For the best freshness keep them in a sealed airtight container.
How Long Can You Keep Welsh Cake Dough For?
The dough, properly refrigerated, can last for an average of 3-4 weeks.
How Many Calories Are in a Homemade Welsh Cake?
This recipe offers approximately 138 Calories per cake, so you don’t have to feel too guilty eating 2 or 3, which is easy to do straight out of the oven!
Can You Freeze Welsh Cakes?
Absolutely! You can freeze both your raw dough and your cooked product. Make sure your cooked Cakes are completely cool before freezing them, then you can keep them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Can You Reheat Welsh Cakes?
Yes! If you are getting them out of the freezer leave them for 20 minutes to defrost, and then you can pop them in the microwave for 30 seconds to enjoy a nice warm Welsh cake with your tea.
What's the Difference Between a Bakestone and a Welsh Cake?
A bakestone is the traditional round flat stone used to cook Welsh Cakes, still used today but many people now use cast iron, more modern pans or flatbeds.
Published: 3 November 2022 · Last updated: 8 November 2022