A traditional Cornish yeasted cake recipe flavoured with delicate saffron and fruity currants. Serve the saffron cake sliced, spread with butter, or for extra decadence, clotted cream.
Saffron cake is a rich and buttery cake that is infused with the unique flavour of saffron.
This spice adds a subtle sweetness and a beautiful golden hue to the cake.
The recipe is simple and easy to follow, making it a great option for both experienced bakers and beginners.
The origins of saffron cake can be traced back to Cornwall, where it has been a beloved treat for centuries.
It was traditionally made for special occasions such as weddings and harvest festivals, but now it is enjoyed year-round as a tea time snack. So why not try your hand at making this delicious and timeless recipe?
✔️Why you should try saffron cake?
✔️ It's atraditional Cornish tea time treat.
✔️Delicious served with butter or clotted cream.
✔️Stale slices make an amazing bread and butter pudding!
What is saffron?
Saffron is a delicate aromatic spice, which arrived in Cornwall with Phoenician traders, more than 2000 years ago. It's believed the traders exchanged it for prized Cornish tin and copper.
There is evidence that saffron was also cultivated in select parts of the county, including near me in Bude, on the north coast. It's also experiencing a revival today, with a couple from the Roseland peninsula cultivating and selling it, through their newly established Cornish Saffron Company.
Growing and harvesting saffron is extremely labour intensive, which is what makes it the most expensive spice in the world, and even more expensive than gold! Each crocus flower has to be hand picked and the three red stigma removed by hand (most usually at night). A painstaking process!
It has been estimated it takes a quarter of a million flowers to produce one pound, that is 454g. So if my little pot contained just 0.5g of stigmas, that’s still around 275 flowers!
🛒Ingredients
To make the Cornish saffron cake recipe you will need:
- Saffron - the star of the show in this saffron cake. Aromatic and delicately spiced, giving the cake that distinctive yellowy hue.
- Strong Plain Flour
- Butter
- Lard
- Dried Yeast
- Currants
- Caster sugar
- Nutmeg
- Milk
🥄Equipment
Two mixing bowls and a 2lb loaf tin are all you need to make this saffron cake, along with a bit of patience. Proving the cake takes 3 hours, and you also need to infuse the saffron strands in milk overnight, before you even start baking!
🍴Serving suggestions
The best way to enjoy this cake is simply sliced and spread with butter or clotted cream, for a delicious and traditionally Cornish tea time treat.
Stale slices of saffron cake also make incredibly good bread and butter pudding too, which I usually serve with creamy custard or clotted cream.
🥡Storage
The baked saffron cake can be stored in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Wrap in parchment paper to keep it as fresh as possible.
🧊Suitable for freezing?
Yes, this saffron cake can be frozen. Wrap in parchment paper then tightly wrap in 2 layers of foil, to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months.
❓Frequently Asked Questions
How do you incorporate saffron into a cake batter?
To incorporate saffron into a cake batter, you first need to steep the saffron threads in a small amount of hot water or milk for at least 15 minutes. This will help release the flavour and colour of the saffron. Once the saffron has steeped, you can add it to the cake batter along with the other ingredients.
What are the key ingredients for a traditional Persian saffron cake?
The key ingredients for a traditional Persian saffron cake include flour, sugar, eggs, butter, baking powder, saffron, and rose water. Some recipes may also include cardamom, almond flour, or pistachios.
Can you make a saffron cake using a bread maker, and if so, how?
Yes, you can make a saffron cake using a bread maker. Simply add the ingredients to the bread maker according to the manufacturer's instructions and select the cake setting. Make sure to steep the saffron threads in hot water or milk before adding them to the batter.
What is the history behind Cornwall's famous saffron cake?
Cornwall's famous saffron cake dates back to the 14th century when saffron was a valuable commodity traded in the area. The cake was originally made with yeast, saffron, and dried fruit, and was often served at special occasions such as weddings and Christmas.
Is there a difference between saffron loaf and saffron cake, in terms of preparation?
There is no significant difference between saffron loaf and saffron cake in terms of preparation. Both use similar ingredients and are made in a similar way. The main difference is in the shape of the finished product, with saffron loaf being a long, narrow shape, and saffron cake being round.
What are some tips for ensuring a moist and flavourful saffron cake?
To ensure a moist and flavourful saffron cake, make sure to steep the saffron threads in hot water or milk for at least 15 minutes before adding them to the batter. You can also add a small amount of yogurt or sour cream to the batter to help keep it moist. Finally, be careful not to over-bake the cake, as this can cause it to become dry and tough.
😋Related recipes
More Cornish recipes you might like:
Get Social!
Don't forget to follow me over on my social channels. You can find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest, for more foodie chat and recipes!
I also have a Facebook group, associated with both this blog and my family food blog Effortless Foodie, where we share recipes, meal planning tips, as well as money saving kitchen hacks. Please do come and join in the fun!
Recipe
FAQs
It is an highly fruited, yeast-raised dough cake with an aromatic flavour, delicious eaten cold or toasted, liberally spread with butter, or add Cornish Clotted Cream for a special treat.
What is the history of Cornish saffron cake? ›
The storied tradition of the Saffron Cake can be traced to the time when the Phoenicians traded spices for Cornish tin. Renowned for its rich hue and distinctive taste, the precious saffron spice, derived from crocus flower stigmas, was used to infuse bread and cakes with an exotic touch.
How many calories in a Saffron Cake? ›
This saffron cake contains 56g total carbs, 56g net carbs, 12g fat, 5.1g protein and 348 calories. Even being a cake, being mainly sweetened with saffron, it is lighter than other cakes. In addition, it is the perfect dessert to crown another of the fantastic saffron recipes that we have on this page.
Where can I buy saffron buns online? ›
Saffron Buns - x3 Packets - Rowes Cornish Bakers.
Does saffron need to be soaked before cooking? ›
We've already said that saffron threads need to be steeped or brewed in liquid to withdraw the incomparable flavor and golden color. This is sometimes called blooming the saffron and it's easier than it sounds. For example, just add a couple of threads to a pot of uncooked rice for a huge flavor boost.
How do you eat Cornish saffron buns? ›
They can be eaten on their own, or more often, split in half and smothered with butter on one side. They contain dried fruit like currants, raisins, mixed peel and sultanas, similar to tea cakes, and echo similar buns created across Scandinavia such as the lussekatt which is traditionally eaten during Advent.
What is the oldest cake in the world? ›
The world's oldest known cake, baked during the reign of Pepi II in Egypt between BCE 2251 and 2157. Alimentarium, Vevey, Switzerland. The Egyptians gave us the world's oldest known cake–and also the world's oldest Tupperware as it happens.
Is Saffron Cake Cornish? ›
A traditional Cornish yeasted cake recipe flavoured with delicate saffron and fruity currants. Serve the saffron cake sliced, spread with butter, or for extra decadence, clotted cream. What is this? Saffron cake is a rich and buttery cake that is infused with the unique flavour of saffron.
Is saffron Cornish? ›
Saffron has been highly prized and used in Cornish cuisine since early times when it was traded from the Phoenicians for locally mined metals and has long been the world's most expensive spice by weight. Cornish Saffron is available to buy on-line in 1g or 0.5g jars.
What is a serving size of saffron? ›
As a dietary supplement, people can safely take up to 1.5 grams of saffron per day. However, only 30 mg of saffron per day have been shown to be enough to reap its health benefits ( 7 , 17 , 30 ). On the other hand, high doses of 5 grams or more can have toxic effects.
Thanks to ingredients such as fats, sugar and flour, cakes and pies are often high in calories and provide little nutritional value for the body. Salty pies can also be high in salt and sodium. Portion control is key, especially when it comes to various toppings and add-ons.
How many calories in a single piece of cake? ›
Light and fluffy cakes, such as angel food cake and sponge cake, are low in calories and will satisfy your sweet tooth. For example, chocolate cake with frosting has 537 calories per serving, while angel food cake has just 72 calories.
How can you tell real saffron from fake? ›
Fake saffron—which is often colored with red food coloring or other foreign substances —will either lack flavor entirely or have a bitter metallic taste. On the other hand, real saffron will have a strong floral scent and the will have a floral and earthy taste, the kind of flavor you're looking for saffron to impart.
Who has the best saffron? ›
Kashmiri saffron, also known as Kashmiri Kesar or Kashmir Saffron, is highly regarded for its exceptional quality and is considered among the finest saffron varieties in the world. It is cultivated in the Kashmir region of India, where the climate and soil conditions create an ideal environment for saffron production.
Can you buy saffron in the US? ›
If you don't have a personal hook-up, it is possible, if not strictly legal, to find it in the United States. You can look in Persian grocery stores (look for deep red threads labeled “negin” or “super negin” that you might even be able to smell through the packaging) or seek out options online.
How should Welsh cakes be eaten? ›
Everyone likes to eat their welsh cakes differently and you should know that if you are talking to us there is no wrong or right way. Enjoy them with sugar, butter, plain, jam, cream, or even chocolate spread and marshmallow – the point of a welsh cake is that is makes you feel warm and cosy for a little minute.
How do you eat Sara Lee pound cake? ›
Spread both sides of a slice of pound cake with butter or margarine. Grill on each side 2-3 minutes, until grill marks form and the pound cake slice is warm. After adding some toppings – such as chocolate sauce, whipped cream and almonds – it's ready to enjoy!
How do you eat Eccles cakes? ›
Bake the Eccles cakes for 15-20 mins until just past golden brown and sticky. Leave to cool on a rack and enjoy while still warm or cold with a cup of tea. If you prefer, Eccles cakes also go really well served with a wedge of hard, tangy British cheese such as Lancashire or cheddar.
How do you eat Cornish clotted cream? ›
The ubiquitous accompaniment for clotted cream is a scone, along with some jam, but the British specialty is also delicious with muffins and quick bread. Contemporary cooks have also incorporated clotted cream into recipes like fudge, ice cream, and chocolate truffles.
