Eccles Cakes are very much a family favourite. Being from a Lancashire background my Mother and Grandmother would regularly make these little treats. Typically they would make them when they had some leftover puff pastry but my children love them so much I make up a whole batch and then freeze them as needed. They are not ‘cakes’ of course but dried fruit filled pasties. Follow my recipe and video for making your own gluten free puff pastry – it’s a great recipe and never fails. I like to soak the mixed fruit in a little ginger kefir or apple juice prior to using so that the filling is really moist.
Difficulty –Â Moderate
Time –Â 20 minutes cooking
Makes 8
You can use the gluten free puff pastry for both sweet and savoury recipes. The pastry can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
The origins of these pastries can be traced to the town of Eccles, formerly within the Lancashire boundary, but now a suburb of Manchester. Many families have their own recipes – this may include mincemeat with apples and sometimes a little rum or brandy for a special festive treat.
One batch of my Gluten Free Puff Pastry
Filling
100g mixed dried fruit
1-2tbsp apple juice / water kefir to soak the fruit
To glaze
1 egg, lightly beaten
Xylitol for scattering
