Chorley and Eccles Cakes

[PR1Berske]

Chorley Cakes
Photos:




Eccles Cakes
Photos




The former are much rarer in the shops than the latter. I gulp at the memory of just how much butter I used to spread across Eccles Cakes, my heart wimpering with every half tonne added onto already buttery pastry.

Any memories, recipes, or shrugged shoulders about these two cakes will obviously make this thread successful in a danny la rouge styleee.

 

[danny la rouge]

They look very similar. How are they distinguished?

 

[PR1Berske]

They look very similar. How are they distinguished?

Eccles use flaky pastry and a thinner layer of raisins.

 

[quiet guy]

Never heard of Chorley cakes and have never spread butter on an Eccles cake.

 

[iona]

Love an eccles cake. Google tells me the difference between the two is that Chorley cakes are flatter and less sweet and made from shortcrust rather than flaky pastry, is that about right?

 

[PR1Berske]

Love an eccles cake. Google tells me the difference between the two is that Chorley cakes are flatter and less sweet and made from shortcrust rather than flaky pastry, is that about right?

Yep

Whilst reading up about these two, I've learned that our brethren in East Lancashire have something called "sad cake" which is buttered pastry which is cooked to deliberately "sink".

 

[iona]

Yep

Whilst reading up about these two, I've learned that our brethren in East Lancashire have something called "sad cake" which is buttered pastry which is cooked to deliberately "sink".

Did we just read the same Wikipedia page?

 

[Sue]

Well I have never had either. Are they made with lard (I'm assuming traditionally they would've been?) and, if so, can you get a veggie version?

 

[marty21]

I like an Eccles cake , they were very popular in a general store I worked in , part-time , from 78-82 .

 

[iona]

Well I have never had either. Are they made with lard (I'm assuming traditionally they would've been?) and, if so, can you get a veggie version?

The standard Eccles cakes you get in all the supermarkets everywhere are made with butter and veg fats

 

[PR1Berske]

Did we just read the same Wikipedia page?

Haha, as a Lancastrian of many years standing I should know this stuff off by heart, though I admit that I've done some Wiki revision . What those lot do in East Lancashire continues to baffle and bemuse beyond all learning.

 

[Sue]

The standard Eccles cakes you get in all the supermarkets everywhere are made with butter and veg fats

Excellent. I'll have to get some in, purely to show some intercountry/county solidarity.

 

[Sweet FA]

Never had them down south but my Gran (Macclesfield) called them 'fly pies'.

 

[technical]

When I first came to London as a student in 1985 my grandma who lived in Sheffield used to post me a box of home made Eccles cakes once a month

 

[Callie]

I love an Eccles cake which is odd as I'm not a huge fan of raisiny things. I think it's the pastry/sugary top that says it for me. Never had a Chorley cake

 

[neonwilderness]

Never had them down south but my Gran (Macclesfield) called them 'fly pies'.

I think the north east squashed fly (sly) cake is a variation of this, but cooked in trays then cut into squares

Foods of England - Sly Cake

 

[marty21]

Never heard of a Chorley cake.

 

[danny la rouge]

Never heard of a Chorley cake.

Chorley says, have they got fish in them?

 

[Ax^]

love an eccles cake but expenisve over 2 quid for 4 in tesco

will have to get some to spread butter on and look out for chorley cake

 

[iona]

What passes for an eccles cake up here

 

[shifting gears]

I like an Eccles cake , they were very popular in a general store I worked in , part-time , from 78-82 .

Could you please tell us the month you started and reason for leaving, too? I’m invested now

 

[PR1Berske]

What passes for an eccles cake up here
View attachment 408756

I'm no Paul Hollywood, but they look like they need a bit of help.

 

[technical]

What passes for an eccles cake up here
View attachment 408756

That's a biscuit, not an eccles cake!

 

[iona]

That's a biscuit, not an eccles cake!

 

[Throbbing Angel]

The former are much rarer in the shops than the latter. I gulp at the memory of just how much butter I used to spread across Eccles Cakes, my heart wimpering with every half tonne added onto already buttery pastry.

Any memories, recipes, or shrugged shoulders about these two cakes will obviously make this thread successful in a danny la rouge

No problem getting Chorley cakes round here afaik.

Are you still in the sensible North or have you succumbed to Southern ways?

I could send you a food parcel! Do you want any Rag Puddings as well?

 

[Elpenor]

 

[moose]

Butter on an Eccles cake??? Nooooo!
Eccles are the indigenous food of my people. Made with wonderful Vostizza currants. Had one every day as a child, as part of my packed lunch, sometimes the only item.
Now I'm posh Cheshire scum, I have them warmed, with a dollop of ice cream

 

[DaveCinzano]

I've always liked Eccles, but got into Chorley because they were cheaper in my local supermarket when prices went mental post-Brexit/early lockdown

 

[bellaozzydog]

Having served five years of childhood living in Leyland and going to the kettle copper cafe in Chorley (or Preston market I may be confused) with my mum and grandma every weekend I can confirm Eccles cake are a shit sham of a cake to be avoided

 

[QueenOfGoths]

I think the north east squashed fly (sly) cake is a variation of this, but cooked in trays then cut into squares

Foods of England - Sly Cake

Yeah, fly pie or fly cemetery is a bit more like chorley cake.

Shortcrust pastry filled with very sugary currants and cut into squares

Funnily enough I was going to make some last weekend but I'm supposed to be trying to lose weight and they're not that diet friendly