The Cornish Saffron Cake
Saffron was believed to have been first introduced to Cornwall when the Phoenicians used it to trade for tin. It is a delicacy in Cornwall akin to the Pasty and is still made in the homes of some Cornish families, although now it is more often bought from local bakers who have the recipe off to a fine art.
It can be eaten with just a little butter spread on top, or with jam and Cornish clotted cream. I must admit my preference is a plain saffron bun with a cup of tea!
CORNISH SAFFRON CAKE
1. Prepare the saffron
- Half a teaspoon of saffron strands
- Half a cup milk and water combined
2. The following day...
- Half a cup of milk and water combined
- 500g unbleached white bread flour
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 150g butter (cut into small chunks)
- 50g light muscovado sugar
- 15g fresh yeast
- 100g mixed fruit
Grease a suitable-sized loaf tin.
Put fresh yeast into a small bowl with a teaspoon of sugar and half a cup of warm milk and water (make sure it is not too hot or it will kill the yeast)
Rub fat into the flour until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in sugar.
When yeast has risen in the cup, make a pit in the centre of the flour mixture and pour in the yeast, covering with a sprinkle of flour.
When this mixture cracks and the yeast 'sponges' through, warm the previously steeped saffron mixture a little and add this to the mix, together with the mixed fruit. Combine using your hand to make a soft (but not sticky) dough (add a little more liquid at this stage, if required).
Turn out onto a very lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes.
Cover with a clean tea towel and leave in a warm place to rise (usually about 30-45 minutes).
Put into the greased loaf tin, cover and leave to rise again until it is level with the top of the tin (about 1 hr).
Bake for 45mins to 1hr. Leave to cool on a wire rack.
- The above recipe can be made into buns and baked for approx 20 mins.
- A little grated nutmeg is sometimes added to the recipe.
- Dried yeast can be used (approx 7g) - please refer to instructions on package and adapt method accordingly.