Indulge in the delightful flavors of traditional Welsh cookies. These sweet treats, also known as welshcakes or pice ar y maen in Welsh, are a popular snack in Wales. Made with simple ingredients like flour, butter, sugar, and dried fruit, these cookies are cooked on a griddle or stovetop. Enjoy a warm batch of welsh cookies with a cup of tea or coffee, and experience the taste of Wales in your own home.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and diced
- 1/2 cup dried currants or raisins
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg, beaten
- Additional sugar, for sprinkling
Directions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Add the cold diced butter to the dry ingredients. Using your fingertips or a pastry cutter, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir in the dried currants or raisins.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk and beaten egg. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
- Using a fork, mix until the dough comes together. If the dough is too dry, add a little more milk.
- Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead it gently for a minute until it becomes smooth.
- Roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1/4 inch.
- Using a round cookie cutter or a glass, cut out circles of dough. Re-roll any scraps and cut out more circles.
- Heat a griddle or a large skillet over medium heat. Lightly grease it with butter or cooking spray.
- Cook the welsh cookies on the griddle/skillet for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they turn golden brown.
- Sprinkle the cooked cookies with a little sugar while they are still warm.
- Transfer the welsh cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Interesting Facts
Welsh cookies are also known as bakestones or griddle cakes.
They are traditionally made for special occasions like St. David's Day in Wales.
Welsh cookies are often enjoyed with a cup of tea or coffee.
In Welsh, these cookies are called pice ar y maen which translates to 'cakes on the stone'.
Welsh cookies were traditionally cooked on a bakestone, which is a flat stone or iron griddle over an open fire.