Cornish Saffron Cake
Cornish Saffron Cake is a light, airy, yet moist cake made with butter, sugar, bread flour, and eggs. This rich and fragrant baked good has a distinctive flavor and golden hue from the saffron that is leavened with yeast, giving it a luxurious depth. It is studded with plump dried fruit that adds a touch of sweetness and texture. Traditionally, it is served in thick slices that are enjoyed with a cup of afternoon tea!
Equipment
- stand mixer, loaf tin
Ingredients
- 1 lb bread flour
- ¼ tsp salt
- 4 ozs butter unsalted
- 1 tbsp saffron
- ½ cup water warm
- 1 oz yeast active dry
- 2 oz cane sugar
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 egg
- 3 oz mixed dried fruit
- 4 tbsp currant
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients. Soak the saffron threads in warm water for 10 minutes. Sift the flour with the salt.
- Cut the butter and rub it into the flour sifted with salt with your fingertips or a pastry cutter until the flour resembles breadcrumbs. Alternatively, you can use the stand mixer with the dough hook attachment.
- Dissolve the yeast in a bowl of warm milk with a pinch of sugar and let the yeast bloom for 5 minutes. Mix the saffron water and the yeast dissolved in the milk mixture using a fork.
- Whisk or lightly beat the eggs with sugar in a bowl and mix it with the saffron-milk mixture. Pour this mixture into the flour rubbed with butter and beat well using a wooden spoon or the dough hook of the stand mixer until smooth.
- Grease a bowl and place the dough in it. Cover with a damp cloth and place in a warm place. Allow the dough to rise and double in quantity for at least 90 minutes. Knock down the dough to release any large air pockets.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a 10"x 4" loaf tin. Mix the dried fruit and currants into the dough. Knead well. Transfer the dough to the greased loaf tin. Level and smoothen the top. Prove for 20 minutes. Brush the top of the cake with cream or whole milk. Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown crust.
- Let the cake cool for 10 minutes. Slice the cake and serve hot with clotted cream or honey butter.
Video
Notes
Notes:
- There is no need to add other spices like cinnamon or nutmeg as the saffron lends itself well.
- The cake dough can be shaped into individual buns if you like.
Nutrition
Calories: 273kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 10gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 196mgPotassium: 175mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 134IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 68mgIron: 3mg
