LACEMAKER'S CATTERN CAKES - ENGLISH SPICED SUGAR COOKIES
"Cattern cakes" are spiced with cinnamon, lightly fruited and flavoured with caraway seeds; they are traditionally made by the English Nottingham lacemakers for the festivities on their special feast day. The recipe goes back to Tudor times, and has changed little over the centuries, although they are sometimes made with yeast dough. Also known as Catherine Cakes (after Catherine of Aragon, whom whilst imprisoned locally at Ampthill, heard of the lacemaker's financial plight, and destroyed all of her lace only to commission some more and give work to the local industry). They are specially prepared for St. Catherine's Day - the patroness of spinners, lace-makers, rope-makers and spinsters - on the 25th November, which is the lacemaker's special day. They are traditionally washed down with Hot Pot - a hot mixture of rum, beer and eggs. I find that I prefer mine with a cup of tea! These delicious little cakes are more like a soft and slightly chewy biscuit or cookie.
Provided by French Tart
Categories Dessert
Time 20m
Yield 12 Cattern Cakes
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Mix all the dry ingredients together in a mixing bowl: flour, cinnamon, currants, ground almonds, caraway seeds and sugar.
- Add the melted butter and the beaten egg and mix well to give a soft dough.
- Roll the dough out on a floured board, into a rectangle about 12" x 10" - 30cm x 25cm.
- Brush the dough with water and sprinkle with the extra sugar and cinnamon to taste.
- Gently roll the dough up like a Swiss roll, not too tightly, and then cut the rolled up dough into 3/4" - 2cm slices.
- Place these slices on to a well greased and lined baking tray or biscuit/cookie sheet, making sure that they are spaced well apart.
- Bake in a pre-heated oven 200C/400F/Gas 6 for about 10 minutes, or until golden and crispy to the top.
- Allow the cattern cakes to cool on a wire rack. Sprinkle with extra caraway seeds, sugar and cinnamon if you like.
- Store in an airtight tin for up to 7 days.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 252.1, Fat 10.7, SaturatedFat 5.2, Cholesterol 35.8, Sodium 60.5, Carbohydrate 36, Fiber 1.6, Sugar 17.7, Protein 4.1
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Giggig
[email protected]Overall, I thought these cookies were just okay. I probably won't make them again.
Zainab Mizher
[email protected]I'm not sure what went wrong, but my cookies turned out really dry.
Gaming Heart%Attack
[email protected]These cookies didn't turn out as well as I hoped. I think I overbaked them.
md abulmia
[email protected]The cookies were a little too sweet for my taste, but I think I'll try reducing the amount of sugar next time.
Wayne John
[email protected]I've never made lace cookies before, but these were surprisingly easy to make.
Hwa Y Boo
[email protected]These cookies are a great gift for friends and family. They're always appreciated.
Marc 8bp
[email protected]I love the way the spices in these cookies warm my house up on a cold winter day.
Thomson Bandah
[email protected]These cookies are a bit time-consuming to make, but they're totally worth the effort.
RIVER Meredith
[email protected]I've made these cookies several times and they always turn out perfectly. They're a real crowd-pleaser.
parkash sawad
[email protected]These cookies are the perfect combination of sweet and spicy. I can't get enough of them!
Ganesha Gurung
[email protected]I'm not a big fan of anise, so I omitted it from the recipe. The cookies were still delicious.
Omotoyosi Omowunmi
[email protected]I added a little extra nutmeg to the dough and it really gave the cookies a nice kick.
Chandria Clayton
[email protected]These cookies are a great make-ahead treat. I often make a batch and freeze them for later.
Raja Shahzain
[email protected]I had a little trouble getting the dough to the right consistency, but once I did, the cookies turned out beautifully.
Subash Rimal
[email protected]I love the delicate lace pattern on these cookies. They look so elegant and festive.
REEZKU BOY YOLA
[email protected]These cookies are a hit with my family and friends. They always ask for the recipe whenever I make them.
Abdul Khalique
[email protected]I've tried many spiced sugar cookie recipes, but this one takes the cake! The combination of nutmeg, ginger, and cinnamon is simply irresistible.
As Atik
[email protected]These cookies are absolutely divine! The texture is perfect with a slight crunch on the outside and a soft, chewy center. The flavor is warm and inviting with a delightful balance of spices.