Indulge in a taste of English tradition with our heavenly Eccles Cakes. Originating from the quaint town of Eccles in Greater Manchester, England, these delectable pastries boast a rich history dating back centuries. Encased in a flaky, buttery pastry shell, each bite reveals a sumptuous filling of juicy currants, sprinkled with just the right touch of sugar and spice. Perfectly paired with a steaming cup of tea or enjoyed on its own, our England Eccles Cakes capture the essence of British baking at its finest. Treat yourself to a taste of nostalgia with every mouthwatering bite.

Here's a traditional recipe for England's Eccles Cake:

Eccles Cake Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 sheets of pre-rolled puff pastry (about 230g each)
• 100g unsalted butter, softened
• 100g light brown sugar
• 150g currants
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• Demerara sugar, for sprinkling

Instructions:

1- Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F).

2- In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, light brown sugar, currants, lemon zest, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Mix well until everything is evenly incorporated.

3- Roll out the puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface. Using a round cutter or the rim of a glass, cut out circles from the pastry sheets, approximately 10-12cm in diameter.

4- Place a spoonful of the currant mixture into the center of each pastry circle.

5- Moisten the edges of the pastry circles with water, then fold them over to encase the filling, forming semi-circular shapes. Press the edges firmly to seal.

6- Turn the filled pastries over and gently flatten them with a rolling pin to about 1cm thickness.

7- With a sharp knife, make three small slits on the top of each pastry to allow steam to escape during baking.

8- Place the Eccles cakes onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper, leaving some space between each cake.

9- Brush the tops of the cakes with beaten egg wash and sprinkle generously with Demerara sugar.

10- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and crisp.

11- Once baked, transfer the Eccles cakes to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

12- Enjoy your homemade England Eccles Cakes with a cup of tea or coffee!

This recipe typically makes around 8-10 Eccles cakes, depending on the size of your pastry circles. Adjust quantities as needed for more or fewer servings.

Nutritional Values:

To provide accurate nutritional values, I'll calculate the approximate values for the ingredients used in the Eccles Cake recipe provided:

Nutritional Values for Ingredients:

Puff Pastry Sheets:

• 2 sheets (230g each)
• Calories: 1520
• Carbohydrates: 160g
• Protein: 20g
• Fat: 88g

benefits:

• Source of carbohydrates for energy.
• Contains small amounts of protein for muscle repair and maintenance.
• Provides fat for satiety and flavor.

Unsalted Butter:

• 100g
• Calories: 720
• Carbohydrates: 0g
• Protein: 1g
• Fat: 80g
• Cholesterol: 220mg

benefits:

• Rich source of fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K.
• Provides essential fatty acids for brain health and hormone production.
• Adds richness and flakiness to baked goods.

Light Brown Sugar:

• 100g
• Calories: 380
• Carbohydrates: 98g
• Fat: 0g
• Protein: 0g

benefits:

• Provides quick energy.
• Enhances sweetness and flavor in baked goods.
• Adds moisture and texture.

Currants:

• 150g
• Calories: 403
• Carbohydrates: 108g
• Fat: 1g
• Protein: 3g
• Fiber: 9g
• benefits:Rich in antioxidants, which help fight inflammation and oxidative stress.
• Good source of dietary fiber, aiding digestion and promoting satiety.
• Contains vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, potassium, and iron.

Lemon Zest:

• Zest of 1 lemon (approximately 1 tablespoon)
• Calories: 3
• Carbohydrates: 1g
• Fat: 0g
• Protein: 0g

benefits:

• Adds bright citrus flavor.
• Contains vitamin C, which supports immune health and collagen production.
• Provides antioxidants.

Ground Nutmeg:

• 1/2 teaspoon
• Calories: 6
• Carbohydrates: 1g
• Fat: 0g
• Protein: 0g

benefits:

• Adds warm, earthy flavor.
• Contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Used in traditional medicine for its potential health benefits.

Ground Cinnamon:

• 1/2 teaspoon
• Calories: 3
• Carbohydrates: 1g
• Fat: 0g
• Protein: 0g

benefits:

• Adds sweet, aromatic flavor.
• Contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
• May help regulate blood sugar levels and improve heart health.

Egg (for egg wash):

• 1 egg
• Calories: 70
• Carbohydrates: 0.6g
• Protein: 6.3g
• Fat: 4.8g

benefits:

• Excellent source of high-quality protein, essential for muscle building and repair.
• Provides essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin B12, vitamin D, and selenium.
• Contributes to the glossy finish and golden color of baked goods.

Demerara Sugar (for sprinkling):

• Amount used for sprinkling
• Approximately 1-2 teaspoons per cake
• Calories: Approximately 11 per teaspoon

benefits:

• Similar to brown sugar in nutritional content.
• Adds crunch and sweetness to the pastry's crust.
• Contains small amounts of minerals like calcium and potassium, though not significant in a typical serving size.

Total Nutritional Values (for the whole recipe):

• Calories: Approximately 3196
• Carbohydrates: Approximately 370g
• Protein: Approximately 31.3g
• Fat: Approximately 173g
• Fiber: Approximately 9g

These values are approximate and may vary based on factors such as brand, specific ingredients used, and portion sizes.