Classic British Cornish Splits Recipes

CORNISH SPLITS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in the milk and add the sugar. In another bowl, sift the flour and salt together and add the cooled melted butter.
• Add the yeast mixture to the flour mixture, and turn out onto a floured counter and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic. Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a clean towel and let rise in a warm, draft free place to 45 minutes.
• Turn dough out onto the freshly floured board and shape into 9 balls. Place dough balls into a buttered and floured 9 inch square pan. Let them sit, covered for another 15 minutes to rise again. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Bake for 15-20 minutes until browned and puffed. Split open and serve warm.

CLOTTED CREAM SPLITS

Steps:

• Line a 12-hole muffin tine with paper cases and heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5. In a jug, mix the yogurt, eggs and vanilla extract. Put the dry ingredients, plus a pinch of salt, into a large bowl and make a well in the middle.
• Add the yogurty mix and melted butter, and quickly fold in with a spatula or metal spoon - don't overwork it. Spoon into the cases (they will be quite full) and bake for 18-20 mins or until golden, risen and springy to the touch. Cool for a few mins, then lift the cakes onto a wire rack to cool completely. Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze as soon as possible. (Cupcakes only)
• Cut the tops off the cupcakes and set aside. Spoon a dollop of raspberry jam on top of each one. Top with a few raspberries and generously heaped teaspoons of clotted cream from a 550g pot. Put the tops back on, then dust with icing sugar to serve.

CORNISH SPLITS

Steps:

• In a small saucepan heat water with milk just until lukewarm and remove pan from heat. Stir in sugar and yeast and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.
• While yeast is proofing, in a bowl whisk together flour and salt and with a pastry blender or fingertips blend in lard until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add milk mixture to flour mixture and stir until a dough forms. On a lightly floured surface knead dough gently just until smooth, about 1 minute.
• Transfer dough to a lightly oiled large bowl and turn to coat with oil. Let dough rise, bowl covered with plastic wrap, in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes.
• Grease 2 baking sheets.
• Punch down dough and divide into 1-ounce balls (about 1 1/2 inches in diameter). Transfer balls to baking sheets and let rise, covered loosely with plastic wrap, in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Bake splits in upper and lower thirds of oven, switching position of sheets halfway through baking, 20 minutes, or until golden, and transfer to racks to cool.
• Serve splits hot or at room temperature, cut open, with jam and clotted cream.