Growing up, the goal at every church bake sale was to snag some of Old Mrs. G___’s Eccles cakes. This wasn’t an easy task, as she would only bake a certain number of these labor-intensive goodies for each sale, so you had to get there early or risk the consequences, because these things went fast!
Petite bundles of flaky dough crammed full to bursting with currants and sugar, those little pastries were pure Methodist gold, let me tell you!
But inevitably, Mrs G___ (already pushing 90 when my Eccles cake love affair began) stopped baking her wares… and there were no daughters or daughters-in-law to carry on the tradition. Eccles cakes faded into nothing but a hazy memory of childhood happiness.
So you can imagine my delight when I attended the local Highland Festival and saw that one baked goods stall advertised Eccles Cakes! Send me in, coach! I hot-footed it over to the tent and joined the long queue, mouth watering as I anticipated biting into one of those little gems of tasty goodness.
My turn arrived at long last.
“One Eccles cake, please”
“That will be five dollars.”
Five bucks for a pastry packet the size of a child’s yo-yo !?!?!?!?
Well, ok, they are a pain to make and this is a special treat. All right…
I gave over my money and extended a cupped palm to receive the wee dainty… only to be handed an over-sized, speckled elephant ear about the size of my head.
“Ummm, I’m sorry, but... I asked for an Eccles cake?”
“That IS an Eccles cake dear…Next!”
So basically, I’d just spent five dollars to purchase a giant pastry frisbee - with raisins.
Not that the elephant ear wasn’t lovely and flaky and crunchy… it was. It simply bore no relation whatsoever to the delight of my childhood. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement.
I think I'm going to draw up a petition for better Eccles cake standards.
Maybe even an Eccles Cake Police…
11 comments:
Jz,
What disappointment! I have not heard or had these pastries but would be willing to sink my teeth into one. I'm not sure if DH the head pastry lover would go for it since it's richly filled with currants (too much like raisins in his opinion, I'm sure) would not be his first pick when it comes to baked goods. Give him a cherry or apple pie and all is well with the world. Thanks for sharing a piece of your childhood with me.
Curious as a Cathy
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Baked goods are ridiculously expensive. I enjoy baking and always think I can make it for less. That’s usually true though it never quite looks the same. Taste over presentation I always say.
I've never had this kind of pastry before, but it sounds amazing! I've found myself sadly disappointed too. Occasionally when we are at a farmer's market someone will be selling a cookie or pastry I've tried before just to find it lacking in flavor. It's sad, and I'm always sorely disappointed that people settle for okay, not realizing the greater flavors and delicacies available. Too often great recipes fall by the wayside just because someone doesn't take the time to learn to make them the right way, with love.
--Baker
Oh i love eccles cakes, not had any for ages though...going to have to rectify that!
I just learned something new! And I watch a lot of cooking shows.
Ah, sweet memories, i hope you find a real Eccles cake someday, along with a good recipe.
Hi Jz - I too love eccles cakes - but have only ever had bought ones - and I must say they are delicious and decadent! ... but I never had anything to compare them too ... I wouldn't remember them if they weren't rather good - though I suspect Mrs G's were really good - cheers Hilary
C-
No, they aren’t terribly common around here - more of a British thing - but I didn’t realize that for years. You know, the stuff you grow up with you assume everyone in the world has…
Thanks for popping in!
J-D-
In general, I agree. There are sometimes some uncommon ingredient that I spend 12 dollars on to add a half teaspoon and that can throw the cost factor out of whack… I also like knowing there aren’t a lot of preservatives in the stuff I make.
On the other hand, I’m single with no kids. So if I can’t freeze half the batch, it’s less wasteful to spend the money on two. (My excuse and I’m sticking with it!)
B-
It is a terrific little thing.
I agree with you about flavors and falling recipes - but I can also sympathize with people who just don’t really have a knack for baking. A lot of people struggle with that and I’d rather see them cheerfully make what they can than go off it entirely.
A-
Oh, please have one for me, too!
(Feel free to use me as an excuse. :-D)
AH-
You’re in good company. I get a lot of blank stares when I mention them.
We’ll get Mary Barry to talk ‘em up and then maybe they’ll catch on here!
mm-
Thank you, Miz Mimi!
H-
Oh, to live somewhere where I *could* buy some occasionally…
And yes, Mrs. G. had definitely perfected the craft. :-)
My Methodist church had a lady named Boo who made amazing pies. She had no daughters and when she died, so did the pies. I've always been sorry I didn't ask her to teach me how to make them when she was still of pie making age.
When we lived in LA, we used to get raspberry macaroons at a Jewish deli and bakery that were amazing. Can't get them anywhere else in the US, apparently, because they are NOTHING like what I suppose must be "real" macaroons. Complete disappointment.
It has been such a long time since I tasted an eccles cake and they are yummy. I learned to make them at school, but like so many of the things I made then, I haven't done so since. One of these days!
D-
I love raspberry anything.
*moment of sympathetic silence*
I feel your pain.
j-
When that day arrives, dooooo let me know!
I can get there before they go stale. :-D
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