Having made an initial attempt at lardy cakes, I felt confident enough to try baking a batch for our friend Matthew (aka “The Hot Pom”).
This time I made a double batch (using our homemade lard which had been stashed in the freezer), and shaped one batch into a round, and the other into two smaller loaves…
To try and overcome the problem I’d had with burnt fruit on the first loaf, I only spread the currants and raisins over the bottom half of the dough prior to rolling, and then carefully slashed through just the unfruited layers before baking. A few currants still poked their way through, but most were safely contained within the dough…
I also attempted baking the dough in loaf tins – on the thinking that no-one really needs to eat an entire 1.3kg lardy cake in a single sitting. The shaping was much easier this time – I simply cut the rolled dough in half and plonked each portion into a lined loaf tin. As an afterthought, I gave the top of the dough a shallow slash before baking…
The pooled syrup at the bottom of the loaves set into a hard chewy toffee. We inverted the loaves and used our mini blowtorch to re-melt the caramel – in future we’ll cool the loaves upside down on a wire rack, which should allow the syrup to soak into the crumb.
I was so pleased with how the loaves turned out – look at all the lovely swirly layers!
The proof of the pudding, as they say, is in the eating. Although for me, the giggle of sheer joy and excitement that emanated from The Hot Pom as he unwrapped the lardy cakes was enough!
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
my mouth is watering and now yet another recipe on my long list to try, wish I could just pop over and eat yours.
If you come to visit, I’ll make you one! :)
These look so delicious I just want to reach in and grab one! Look at those swirls! The ones you baked in a loaf pan are pretty as well. Great idea to use a mini blow torch to soften the sugar too. And you’d think that they were just for creme brulee… ;)
Em, they were so fun to make – I’m trying a version with butter now to see if it will work, will keep you posted! x
What a hot pom!!
He’s a good sort, eh? ;-)
I love lardy cake – memories of childhood! Looks wonderful.
Thanks Fiona! They’re brand new to me, but I think we’ll be adding them to our baking repertoire, they’re delicious! :)
That is one happy hot pom! They look wonderful Celia. Can I ask… why did you wrap the round tin in foil?
Claire, thank you! I’m yet to find a springform tin that won’t leak! And I didn’t want melted lard all over the oven.. ;-)
Once again, I wish I was a neighbour of yours Celia. Although I’m not so sure how you’d feel about finding me hovering on your doorstep every time you baked. ;-)
You know I’d love it, Amanda! :)
I love the sound of the syrup and layers! It sounds like food porn heaven (and from the sounds of The Hot Pom’s reaction, it may have been!).
Lorraine, it was quite reminiscent of European pastry breads – just lovely and wicked.. :)
These look gorgeous indeed Celia! I’m so glad you didn’t waste all the yummy sugary stuff :) That’s one happy chappy stuffing his mouth, always makes the effort worth while doesn’t it? Xox
Thanks Becca! Couldn’t waste all the caramel! :)
I love the profile shot and I think these turned out really well being in a tin. Good idea to not put the currants on the top of the loaf. The Hot Pom looks like he’s thoroughly enjoy himself xx
Thanks Charlie, he was very happy indeed! :)
This makes me sing every time. Lardy cakes, lardy cakes, how I want my lardy cakes. I sing really well too!
Oooh, I can hear the song, Greg! Now you’ve given me an earworm! :)
These look fantastic. I worry if I ate too many lardy cakes I’d have a lardy arse. :)
I already do, Mau.. ;-)
I love this, oh, Celia.. I just can’t wait to get home to start up my sourdough starter, P…. (can’t name her just yet)! Hahaha, I’m probably the only person who can’t wait to come home from a trip because she can make Lardy Cake and loaves of bread. I’m weird that way I guess:D xx
Not weird! I understand that completely! :)
I’m looking forward to your report on the cakes you will be making with butter.
I don’t have any thing against lard- I just would rather use butter if could. :)
Darling, the butter ones were very good, although I prefer the lard. Pete was deliriously happy with the butter version though! I’ll blog them a bit later – I think I’ve drowned everyone in sweet bread posts for now.. :)
These look fantastic, Celia. Have you tried Aberdeen Butteries? They can be made with lard or butter.
Meg, thank you! I’ll google the butteries now! :)
That sure looks good Celia, Those swirls are magnificent. The Hot Pom is a lucky boy!!
Glenda, I was SO chuffed with the swirls – I felt like I’d made some sort of fancy puff pastry! :)
lovely post and look very yummy as well
Thanks Linda! :)
I was going to ask if the Hot Pom shouted with delight but then I looked at the photo, no way he was shouting, he was too busy eating :)
He didn’t shout so much as chuckle, ED. And then scoff.. ;-)
OK, I gotta say this…. DO YOU DELIVER!!!!????
Sure, within a 5km radius of our house.. ;-)
Full marks for R & D investment.
Hehehe…we made two further attempts at a butter version – the second one worked well! :)
I think you have done a superb job there :) Well done !
Thanks darling, and for all your advice and support on twitter during the experiments! :)
The Lardy cakes look so delectable – but the Hot Pom quite literally takes the cake! The picture of him says it all – and he’s sitting where we all want to be – in Miss Celie’s Test Kitchen!
Actually, in the dining room, but he was lovely and he really did make it all worthwhile, Jan! :)
Lard is a much maligned ingredient over here – it has a noble history, and truly is the secret ingredient in many dishes – I can remember when coconut oil was considered evil, and now has the status of health food – I expect lard to follow the same path.
Doc, I’m not sure it will ever be health food, but from what I’ve been reading, it certainly isn’t as bad for you as we always believed.. :)
Those are beautiful! And “The pooled syrup at the bottom of the loaves set into a hard chewy toffee.” is one of the best sentences ever written. :-) Maz.
Maz, I’m an old woman, and hard chewy toffee is hard on the crowns on my teeth! :D
They look scrummy :)
Tandy, maybe they’re the next thing for you to experiment with? :)
WOW! Seems so delicious… You are amazing dear Celia, love, nia
Nia, they were fun to make – I’ve had a blast playing with the recipe, although we’re a bit larded out at the moment.. ;-)
They look perfect.
Thank you! :)
If ever I have the opportunity to travel to Australia, I will certainly be knocking on your door, who knows, I may not leave..
Come! Come! :)
Way to go, Celia1 Making these in loaf pans would be so much better for we single folk than making a large loaf. And I have to be honest. I get excited every time I get to use a blowtorch in the kitchen. :)
John, we don’t have a lot of reason to drag ours out, but I agree, it makes us feel like we’re doing proper pastry stuff when we get the flame going.. ;-)
Your lardy cakes look terrific.
Thanks Karen! :) xx
In my next life I want to be Hot Pom ;-)
hehehe…he was pretty happy, Sally! :)
Ooh well done Celia, your lardy cakes look fantastic. I used to love lardy cakes and our local baker makes excellent ones, but sadly I shouldn’t have them now I’m a vegetarian, although I have been known to sneak a bite of CT’s.
Choc, I’ve been messing with a vegetarian (butter) version, and was toying with the idea of a vegan version made with coconut oil.. :)