Location Aberdaron
Largest Dimension 101mm
Thickness 31mm
Weight of cake 121gm
Colour of upper crust Mottled
Interest in crust Very interesting
Thickness of base 6 to 10mm – small plug
Weight of fruit 41gm
Texture of filling Beautifully bound with plump currants
Base caramelisation 50% glazed Wonderful
Overview
A shop based on the end of the Lleyn Peninsula has a restricted market but this one deserves to succeed. 01758 760370
Location Salford
Largest Dimension 92mm
Thickness 30mm
Weight of cake 105gm
Colour of upper crust Beautiful golden brown
Interest in crust 3 long narrow slits
Thickness of base 8mm – hard almost bicuity
Weight of fruit 50gm
Texture of filling Mangled mixture of currants and raisins
Base caramelisation None
Overview
Busy efficient shop with wide popular local appeal. Nice Eccles Cake.
Location Trafford Centre
Largest Dimension 90mm
Thickness 28mm
Weight of cake 90gm
Colour of upper crust Pale with large white sugar crystals
THE PASTRY WAS LABELLED PUFF BUT WAS NOT.
Eccles cakes should use flaky pastry
Interest in crust 2 slits and 1 small round hole – nice
Thickness of base 8mm (varies) Thick, hard with uncooked layer.
Weight of fruit 30gm but felt mean.
Texture of filling Bound but shrivelled fruit ( not soaked in syrup)
Base caramelisation Nil
Overview
Hugely disappointing. Labelled for export and this is likely to expose British cakes to ridicule!
Location Traford Centre
Largest Dimension 90 mm
Thickness 30mm
Weight of cake 105gm
Colour of upper crust Glorious. Baked golden with leaked syrup
Interest in crust Double vents, leakage, irregular shape and sugar crystals. A masterpiece
Thickness of base 6mm – laminated but not entirely baked through with 15mm central plug
Weight of fruit 37gm
Texture of filling Bound and aromatic
Base caramelisation Edges glazed with pale brown toffee derived form syrup. Mmm.
Overview
Amazing what is possible by an in-store bakery. Served by an enthusiastic young lady who had been up at 5 to bake them!
Location Eccles
Largest Dimension 110mm
Thickness 30 mm
Weight of cake 110gm
Colour of upper crust Pale Gold
Interest in crust No Vents! Elliptical. Well glazed
Thickness of base 4mm – laminated. Thin but strong
Weight of fruit 33gm
Texture of filling Tiny unsoaked currants. Bound.
Base caramelisation None
Overview
A bit too well raised making it hard to eat without a pastry shower.
Location Brecon
Largest Dimension 90mm
Thickness 36mm
Weight of cake 110gm
Colour of upper crust Pale with dark patches
Interest in crust Domes – like scone
Thickness of base 7mm – laminated
Weight of fruit 42gm
Texture of filling Bound with additions
Texture of crust Beautifully Flakey
Base caramelisation None
Overview
This splendid shop, hiding behind the Cathedral, presents its Eccles Cake, uniquely in a doilly.
Location Helmsley
Largest Dimension 80 mm
Thickness 31 mm
Weight of cake 100gm
Colour of upper crust Dark Gold
Interest in crust Off set vent – leakage – nice
Thickness of base 4mm – dense
Weight of fruit 40gm
Texture of filling Beautifully bound
Base caramelisation None
Overview
Busy efficient shop with wide popular local appeal. Nice Eccles Cake.
Location Skipton
Largest Dimension 100mm
Thickness 31mm
Weight of cake 102gm
Colour of upper crust Uniform pleasant brown. Texture – perfect!
Interest in crust Two wide slits
Thickness of base 10mm – laminated but partly baked
Weight of fruit 38gm
Texture of filling Minced fruit bound and tasty
Base caramelisation Partially glazed
Overview
Busy efficient shop with wide popular local appeal. Nice Eccles Cake.
Woolton is a charming, ancient village absorbed now as a suburb of Liverpool. This shop is the hub of lunchtime life in the village.
Location Woolton
Largest Dimension 101mm
Thickness 21mm
Weight of cake 98gm
Colour of upper crust Uniform mid brown
Interest in crust Tantalisingly small sugar crystals and eruption of fruit
Thickness of base 6mm – dense
Weight of fruit 24gm
Texture of filling Beautifully bound with large currants
Base caramelisation Partially glazed
Overview
Busy efficient shop with wide popular local appeal. Nice Eccles Cake.
In the 1950s the then Mr Sayers was hit upon by your tasters Mother to provide free cakes for Sunday School Treats. A kind and generous man. Affection does not impact objectivity!
Location Hunts Cross, Scouseville sur Mer
Largest Dimension 95mm
Thickness 30mm
Weight of cake 103
Colour of upper crust Dark Brown – baked in store.
Interest in crust With some caramelised leakage on top. Nice.
Thickness of base 9mm
Weight of fruit 30gm
Texture of filling Plump currants not bound but pleasant.
Base caramelisation Partially glazed
Overview
Good example of what can be achieved with in store bakery