Cakes

In Scotland, large cakes have traditionally been less common than girdle bannocks or scones. But as a treat, there are some classic Scottish cakes – Dundee cake, sultana cake and of course the different varieties of gingerbread.

Since, in Scotland, we never arrive at someone’s house emptyhanded, I think taking a cake as a present is even more thoughtful than taking the ubiquitous flowers, wine or box of chocolates. Rather than just nipping into the supermarket for a bunch of carnations, the gift of a home-made cake shows true care. And you will probably have some inkling of whether the recipient prefers an Orkney Broonie, moist and nutty with the oatmeal, to a dark and sticky gingerbread. Cakes evoke feelings of nostalgia, since as they bite into a sultana cake, the eaters recall perhaps a visit to their grandmother as a child. Or they remember a Dundee cake – dotted with those perfectly arranged almonds – bought after waiting in a long queue at the village fete during the halcyon days of childhood summers. But apart from the sentimentality aroused and the time and care you have taken over making your gift, there is also a fairly good chance that you will be offered some yourself! Traditional cakes vie for popularity with newcomers in this chapter; I like to think our cake-baking repertoire is enhanced by the more modern cake recipes. They are perhaps more show-offy than their classic counterparts but there’s nothing wrong with a bit of un-Presbyterian flaunting on the cake walk!