for the love of scotland
Hi Friends. As I begin to write this cake recipe post, I have Eileen Barton’s cute 1950 hit song stuck in my head – “If I Knew You Were Comin’ I’d’ve Baked a Cake”. Go ahead. YouTube it. I dare you. 😀
Today I want to share a recipe for Honey and Whisky Cake. I got the recipe from a little book I purchased a few weeks ago in Scotland. This cake is quick and easy to make and really delicious. It’s moist, not overly sweet, and the grated orange rind is a wonderful addition. My new favorite!
Enjoy!
Hi everyone. Welcome back! I was poking around on the internet recently in search of recipe ideas for this blog and I happened to come across one that really grabbed my attention. It is a recipe for Scottish Teatime Cupcakes, published by a food blogger named Katie on her web site Butterlust. It looks like a great site. Check it out. This particular cupcake recipe combines two of my favorite Scottish foods – tea and shortbread – into one delectable treat. What’s better than that?! These were a big hit with Mr. C who said they taste like expensive boutique cupcakes. I’d say that’s a win! So without further ado, here’s the recipe.
I had the most delightful experience last week. My dad and his lovely wife were in town for a visit so I took them to afternoon tea at the O’Henry Hotel in Greensboro, NC.
I first fell in love with the ritual of afternoon tea in Scotland. Just to clarify, when I say ‘tea’ I’m not just talking about the beverage and a cookie. Oh no no no. A proper full/afternoon tea should include a bottomless pot of hot tea, finger sandwiches and other small savory bites, a variety of little sweet treats, and of course, savory and/or plain scones with clotted cream and jam or curd. In the U.K., afternoon tea is often enjoyed post-lunch but pre-dinner. Personally, I prefer to just make it my lunch.
Ever since that first Scottish tea, I have tried to find places here at home that offer the experience I’m looking for. To be honest, I haven’t really found it. Until the O’Henry. Wow! Everything about it hit the mark, from the beautiful and sophisticated setting to the gorgeous mix-and-match china, to the delicious and thoughtfully prepared tiered tray of food. I felt as if I were at Greywalls Hotel or Prestonfield House or any other fine establishment in Scotland.
See for yourself!
Hi everyone. Glad you stopped by!
Anyone have a sweet tooth today? Because if you do and are looking for something tasty to satisfy it, then you’re in the right place.
From Lorna Doone’s to the Girl Scout’s trefoils to the distinctive red, plaid boxes of Walker’s, there are many pre-packaged shortbread options from which to choose. My personal favorite happens to be made by Shortbread House of Edinburgh – particularly the biscuits (cookies) with warming stem ginger. Mmm mmm good. Today I’m going to attempt to make my own version of their yummy treats.
Once a luxury to the every day people of Scotland, shortbread began with medieval “biscuit bread” – that is, bread made with leftover biscuit dough. Over time, the yeast in the bread was replaced by butter and eventually evolved into shortbread as we know it today.
Shortbread is traditionally made in three shapes: a large circle divided into segments called shortbread petticoat tails, a rectangle cut into strips or bars called shortbread fingers, and round biscuits (cookies) called shortbread rounds. I’m going to be making the rounds today.
Let’s begin!
Hello Friends. Guess what? It’s almost Friday!
Today I would like to take you to another ‘off-the-beaten-path’ place. You probably know by now that those spots are my favorite. There is something fun about seeing things that the typical tourist doesn’t know about. Mr. C and I discovered this one completely by accident. Today I’m going to take you to see Redhouse Castle.
Hello Readers,
Hope everyone is well. Today we are going to hang out in my favorite city – Edinburgh. I booked us a champagne afternoon tea at luxurious Prestonfield House. So touch up your lip gloss, Ladies. Men, grab your wallets. A warm welcome, fine dining, and hospitality awaits!
When Mr. C and I travel to Scotland (or anywhere where we stay more than two or three nights, for that matter), we always prefer to rent a private residence rather than stay in a hotel. It not only allows us the experience of living like locals, but it’s so much more pleasant and economical. A rental provides all the amenities of home – a laundry facility, plenty of room to spread out, and perhaps best of all – a fully equipped kitchen.
Oh, now don’t give me that look. What, you don’t like to cook when you’re on vacation? Haha -that’s okay. Me either, actually. But, luckily for me, Mr. C does! And on top of that, his culinary skills are sublime. He’s definitely a keeper.
Welcome back friends,
I feel like I can genuinely say that now. I have connected with some of the nicest folks on here. I’m so enjoying getting to know you through our shared interests and through our writing.
So, feel like cooking today? After a hearty Thanksgiving dinner followed by a hearty post-Thanksgiving dinner of leftovers, I’m surprised that I do. But all you have to do is say the word scone and I’ll start digging for my sieve.
The recipe that I’m using today is from a wonderful site I discovered a couple of years ago, Eating For England.
Even though technically I eat for Scotland, you will find that scones are an important component of tea time no matter which side of the border you find yourself.
Pronounced to either rhyme with ‘tone’ or ‘gone’, depending on one’s country and region, British scones are a completely different affair than what we commonly find in coffee shops and bakeries here in the United States. Whereas our scones are triangular and tend to be very sweet and somewhat cake-like, British scones more closely resemble in appearance what Americans call biscuits. However, even those two things are quite different. Our biscuits are rich and buttery and are often enjoyed with breakfast. British scones are lighter, flaky, and have a touch of sweetness. Sometimes they include fruit such as raisins or currants. And sometimes they are savory, such as those made with cheese. Scones are a basic staple of afternoon tea in England and Scotland. They are truly delicious and I promise that if you give this recipe a try, you will not be disappointed.
Let’s get started, shall we?
Umm, the cake. I’m talking about the cake. Why? What did you think I was talking about? (chuckle chuckle)
I have long wanted to try my hand at a Victoria Sponge. First, because I brake for cake. Second, it is just so quintessentially English (although it is common to find this cake at eateries in Scotland as well). It’s strange, but in all the times I have dined in Scotland, I never once ordered a slice of Victoria Sponge. We’re going to remedy that today.
I researched several different recipes and it seems that each are pretty consistent, with just some minor variations among them. Equal parts butter, sugar, and flour seems to be the common thread. For my cake today, I decided to try a recipe by BBC Good Food (I chose a different mixing method and also chose a different filling).
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1997/classic-victoria-sandwich
Let’s get baking!