Traditional Bannocks Scotland Recipes

BANNOCK

Steps:

• Measure flour, salt, and baking powder into a large bowl. Stir to mix. Pour melted butter and water over flour mixture. Stir with fork to make a ball.
• Turn dough out on a lightly floured surface, and knead gently about 10 times. Pat into a flat circle 3/4 to 1 inch thick.
• Cook in a greased frying pan over medium heat, allowing about 15 minutes for each side. Use two lifters for easy turning. May also be baked on a greased baking sheet at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes.

TRADITIONAL BANNOCKS (SCOTLAND)

Steps:

• In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour cinnamon & salt.
• In a smaller container, lightly whisk the eggs together with the sugar & stir that mixture into the flour mixture with just enough milk to give a pouring consistency, beating well until bubbles form.
• Grease & heat a griddle, then pour tablespoons of the mixture onto the gridle, tilting to spread the mixture thinly.
• As soon as the bannocks are golden brown underneath, perhaps about 3-4 minutes, flip them over & brown on the other side.
• Cool on a wire rack before serving with butter & honey.

SCOTTISH BANNOCKS RECIPE

Steps:

• If you're making your own buttermilk do that first (see notes).
• Mix your oatmeal, salt and flour together in your bowl.
• Measure our your buttermilk, if you've made extra, and add the baking soda.
• Add your buttermilk mixture slowly to the oatmeal and flour mix, you may not need it all so add around a cup then use a spoon to bring it together before continuing with the rest if necessary.
• Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and split into two.
• Manipulate the dough into a flat circles the right size to suit your griddle, skillet or frying pan. Be careful not to handle the mixture too much at this stage to avoid taking any air the baking soda has added from it.
• Heat your griddle/skillet with a little oil.
• Indent your dough slightly to provide 4 sections, like you would a pizza.
• Once it's hot add the dough to your griddle/skillet.
• You should only have to turn your bannock once, leave it to brown on the underside but don't be afraid to give it a shuggle to make sure it's not stuck to the surface of the pan.
• Once you're sure it's cooked turn the bannock over to lightly brown the other side. You should be able to tap it and hear a hollow sound.
• If your bannock is too thick you may need to cook for longer on the second side but this will depend on your griddle/skillet size.

SELKIRK BANNOCK

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix the yeast and caster sugar with 250ml warm water. Let it stand for 10 mins until the mixture becomes frothy. Tip in the flour and 125g of butter and mix to form a smooth, soft dough. Knead for 5 mins, then put the mixture back in the bowl. Cover with oiled cling film and allow the mix to rise, in a warm place, until doubled in size.
• Knock back the dough by kneading it lightly for 1 min, then add the sultanas and brown sugar, kneading them in well. Grease a deep 23cm round cake tin with the rest of the butter. Shape the dough into a round and place in the tin. Allow the dough to rise for 30 mins or until it has doubled in size.
• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Brush the Bannock with a little milk to glaze, then bake for 45-50 mins until risen and browned. The bread should sound hollow when removed from the tin and the base is tapped. If the bread colours too quickly, but is not quite cooked, you can cover it with foil and check after 5 mins more. Cool in the tin for 10 mins, then remove from the tin and finish cooling on a wire rack.

BUDGET-FRIENDLY BANNOCK

Steps:

• Sift dry ingredients together into a bowl.
• Cut in the lard and add water, taking care not to over mix.
• Melt some lard in a skillet or Dutch oven, drop spoonfuls of the dough in the pan (there should be enough lard so the bannock can sizzle in it)
• Cook the bannocks on one side until very brown & crusty, then turn over and brown the other side
• Serve plain or with fruit preserve.