Description
Warm Spiced Traditional Soul Cakes are delightful, tender pastries infused with aromatic spices and studded with currants. Perfectly spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and a hint of vanilla, these soul cakes are a comforting treat traditionally enjoyed during the autumn season. Their crumbly texture and subtle sweetness make them a perfect accompaniment to tea or coffee.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- 2/3 cup currants
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, allspice, and salt to evenly distribute the spices and leavening.
- Cut in Butter: Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut the chilled, cubed unsalted butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, creating a tender, crumbly texture in the dough.
- Add Currants: Stir in the currants to evenly incorporate them throughout the mixture, adding bursts of sweetness and texture.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, lightly beat together the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract to create the wet component of the dough.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredient mixture, mixing gently until a soft dough forms. Handle the dough carefully to avoid overmixing and ensure a tender final product.
- Roll Out Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/2 inch thickness to prepare for cutting.
- Cut Out Cakes: Using a round cookie cutter, cut out the soul cakes and place them on the prepared baking sheet spaced at least 1 inch apart to allow for even baking.
- Bake: Bake the soul cakes in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden, indicating they are cooked through.
- Cool: Allow the soul cakes to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps maintain their texture and prevent sogginess.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is well chilled for best texture results, as it helps create a crumbly, tender cake.
- Handle the dough gently and avoid overmixing to keep the soul cakes light and flaky.
- Currants can be substituted with raisins or dried cranberries for variation.
- Store soul cakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
- For an extra festive touch, brush the tops with a lightly beaten egg before baking to achieve a shiny finish.
