Delicious Cornish Hevva Cake Recipe | Currant-Filled Biscuit Good with Tea (2024)

Cookies and BiscuitsBreakfast and BrunchBritish HeritageVintage and Timeless

Written By Savor The Sourdough

Blog RSS

Ahh, the irresistible scent of a freshly cooked Cornish Hevva Cake. Warm and sweet, it’s a favorite among tea-time treats! A classic recipe passed through generations for centuries, this dense currant-filled biscuit-like cake is an essential part of the English culture. So why not make your own? Its warm currants tantalize your taste buds, and its sugary-sweet top layer that begs to be crumbled between your fingers makes it perfect for dunking in a cup of tea. This is my family’s traditional Hevva Cake recipe, so you can experience the delight of watching (and eating) these little treats as they come alive in your kitchen! But don't take my word on it; get some flour in those hands and start baking!

Delicious Cornish Hevva Cake Recipe | Currant-Filled Biscuit Good with Tea (1)

From the humble beginnings of a fishing village, Cornish Hevva Cake now stands as an iconic pastry in the United Kingdom and beyond. Its history is one that spans centuries, linked to both the past and present. The fishing net motif imprinted on its top is like none other, embodying tradition, culture, and taste all in one unique cake. Although it may be hard to find a true Cornish Hevva Cake outside of its origin, you are lucky because my recipe is authentic, and you’re in for a truly special experience. To experience its blend of fruity sweetness and dense yet crumbly texture marks a culinary journey through time, a simple pleasure that truly captures the spirit of Cornwall’s beloved tradition. So let us share a piece of this treasured treat with friends and family as we travel through time together.

  • The flavors of these hevva cakes are delicious and remind me of Christmastime.

  • I love the dense texture of these hevva cakes, making it a perfect breakfast for dunking into your favorite cup of freshly brewed tea.

  • This recipe can easily be made in any shape and size you like. However, it is commonly baked into one giant cake loaf, but I prefer the individual-sized portions.

Cornish hevva cakes, hevva cakes, Cornish, currants

dessert, snack, treat, cookies

Yield: 12

Author: Nadia Mansour: Savor The Sourdough Blog

Delicious Cornish Hevva Cake Recipe | Currant-Filled Biscuit Good with Tea (4)

Delicious Cornish Hevva Cake Recipe | Currant-Filled Biscuit Good with Tea

Learn the secrets of making authentic Cornish Hevva Cake. A dense and flavorful biscuit that's delicious served hot or cold and perfect with afternoon tea. Find out how to create this traditional Cornwall treat in your kitchen!

Prep time: 20 MinCook time: 45 MinTotal time: 1 H & 5 M

Ingredients

Dough

Topping

Instructions

Dough

  1. Preheat the oven to 355°F.
  2. Place the flour, sugar, and spices into the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and turn the mixer on medium to low speed.
  3. Dice up your butter into small 1/2-inch pieces and add them to the mixer.
  4. Let the butter slowly incorporate until it starts to form small pea-sized pieces, and then add in the dried currants, followed by the heavy cream.
  5. Let the dough mix until it all combines and comes together into a big ball.

Assembly

  1. Take 12 small 4x4x1-inch stainless steel round cake molds and divide the dough evenly.
  2. Place the molds onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  3. Compact the dough evenly among the molds as tightly as possible, and then score the tops with a knife to create that fishing net appearance.
  4. Sprinkle the top of each one with a tablespoon of turbinado sugar and then bake them in the molds for 45 minutes.
  5. Let the hevva cakes cool completely before removing them from the molds.

Notes

Flour Substitutions: I use European flour in my cooking and baking. I find it easier to work with; the flavor is better and easier on the stomach.

Butter: Salted European butter works best in this recipe. European butter melts slower, resulting in a better dough as these rolls bake.

Size: If you do not have any 4-inch sized molds, you can; alternatively, you can bake the whole thing as one large hevva cake on a sheet pan instead. The baking time may vary.

Measurements: This recipe will eventually be converted into grams.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

733.64

Carbs

102.78 g

Cholesterol

92.99 mg

Fat

34.12 g

Fiber

3.39 g

Net carbs

99.38 g

Protein

8.3 g

Sat. Fat

21.23 g

Sodium

208.1 mg

Sugar

53.09 g

Please note that the nutritional information on this website is calculated using online tools and may need to be more accurate. Use it as a rough guide only. We cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage caused by relying solely on this data. You are responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information you use is accurate and useful. For more information,click here.

https://www.savorthesourdough.com/recipe/cornish-hevva-cakes

Copyright © 2023 by Savor The Sourdough. Recipe Copyright © 2020 by Nadia Mansour. Photographs Copyright © 2020 by Nadia Mansour.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @savorthesourdough on instagram and hashtag it #savorthesourdough

Explore Trending Recipes

Blog

Custard Soufflé Pots | A Fast and Viral Recipe

Indulge in a delicious and easy-to-make viral custard soufflé pots recipe that's perfect for any occasion. Customize with your favorite toppings!

Easy Sourdough Bagels Recipe | In Your Stand Mixer

Make fresh, homemade sourdough bagels in your stand mixer with this easy recipe. Perfect for breakfast or brunch, these family-friendly bagels are sure to impress. Learn how to bake like a pro today!

The Most Authentic Italian Sourdough Starter Recipe | Learn How To Make Lievito Madre

This step-by-step guide will walk you through making your own homemade Italian sourdough starter. Learn how to make Lievito Madre with this detailed recipe and become a pro at breadmaking!

Did you try making this recipe? Your thoughts are important! Please share your comments below.

Blog RSS

Savor The Sourdoughhttps://savorthesourdough.com

Next Next Tangy Sumac Red Onions Recipe | A Uniquely Flavored Arabic Side Dish

WELCOME

Food is a fantastic thing that brings people together from all around the world. It's a passion that I share, and I want to help you create delicious meals that can become part of your family traditions. There's something special about sitting down to a great meal with loved ones and creating lasting memories. So let's embark on this journey together and create unique recipes that will bring joy to your life.

Delicious Cornish Hevva Cake Recipe | Currant-Filled Biscuit Good with Tea (13)

Follow Savor The Sourdough

On Social Media

Newsletter | Social Links | Legal | About | Contact

© 2023 Savor The Sourdough, All Rights Reserved.

Delicious Cornish Hevva Cake Recipe | Currant-Filled Biscuit Good with Tea (2024)

FAQs

What does hevva mean in Cornish? ›

The word 'hevva' derives from the Cornish word 'huer' which means to look out or watch. The fishermen, known as “huerers,” would keep watch on the cliffs for shoals of pilchards (a type of small fish) and signal their arrival by shouting “Hevva!

What is the traditional cake in Cornwall? ›

Hevva cake or Heavy cake is made from flour, lard, butter, milk, sugar and raisins that originated in Cornwall.

What is the history of Hevva cake? ›

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the huer would shout 'Hevva!, Hevva!' to alert the boats to the location of the pilchard shoals. Cornish tradition states that Hevva cake was baked by the huers on their return to their homes, the cake being ready by the time the crews returned to land.

What is the meaning of heavy cake? ›

Cornish hevva or heavy cake is a traditional teatime treat of the pilchard fishing communities of Cornwall. The name comes from the fishing huer – someone who stood watching for pilchards on the clifftops – shouting 'hevva, hevva' at the landing of a shoal of fish.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Jonah Leffler

Last Updated:

Views: 5928

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (65 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jonah Leffler

Birthday: 1997-10-27

Address: 8987 Kieth Ports, Luettgenland, CT 54657-9808

Phone: +2611128251586

Job: Mining Supervisor

Hobby: Worldbuilding, Electronics, Amateur radio, Skiing, Cycling, Jogging, Taxidermy

Introduction: My name is Jonah Leffler, I am a determined, faithful, outstanding, inexpensive, cheerful, determined, smiling person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.