Classic Lardy Cake (Flaky, Spiced, and Lard-Rich) 🍞🍯
Lardy cake is a traditional British treat that hails from the heart of England. Rich, flaky, and sweet with a wonderful spiced filling, this decadent cake is made with lard (the secret to its melt-in-the-mouth texture) and is a comforting slice of history. Perfect for enjoying with a cup of tea!
Ingredients:
🧈 Lard: 150g (for the dough)
🌾 Strong white flour: 500g
🧂 Salt: 1 teaspoon
🍚 Caster sugar: 75g
🍳 Yeast: 10g (fast-action)
🥛 Milk: 200ml, lukewarm
🍯 Brown sugar: 75g (for the filling)
🍃 Ground cinnamon: 1 teaspoon
🍃 Ground mixed spice: 1 teaspoon
🧴 Water: 50ml
🍇 Dried mixed fruit (currants, sultanas, or raisins): 200g
Method:
🧑🍳 In a bowl, dissolve the yeast and caster sugar in the lukewarm milk. Set aside for about 10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
🧈 In a large mixing bowl, sift the flour and salt together. Add the lard in chunks, and rub it into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs.
💧 Pour in the yeast mixture and gradually add water to form a soft dough. Knead for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
🍽 Cover the dough with a damp tea towel and leave it to prove in a warm place for about an hour, or until it has doubled in size.
🍯 Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a floured surface and roll it into a rectangle, roughly 30x40cm.
🧂 Mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, and mixed spice together, then sprinkle this spiced mixture over the rolled-out dough, along with the dried fruit.
🥄 Fold the dough into thirds, like a letter, then roll it out again into a rectangle. Repeat the folding process 2–3 times to create layers.
🍞 Grease and line a 23cm square baking tin. Place the folded dough into the tin, pressing it gently to fit, then cover with a tea towel and leave to prove for another 30 minutes.
🔥 Preheat the oven to 180°C (fan). Bake the lardy cake for 25–30 minutes until golden brown and risen.
🍯 Once baked, allow the cake to cool for 10 minutes before removing from the tin. Brush with a little extra melted lard or butter for added richness, if desired.
Serving Information:
⏱ Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes | 🍴 Servings: 8–10 slices | 🔥 Calories: ~300 per slice