Stottie Cake Recipe : Simple & Delicious

Are you craving a taste of the North East of England? Then you’re in the right place! The stottie cake, a flat, round bread that’s a staple in the region, is surprisingly easy to make at home, especially if you have a bread machine.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through creating the perfect stottie cake with minimal effort, while achieving that delightful chewy texture and subtle flavor.

It’s a fantastic way to enjoy a regional classic without the hassle of traditional baking methods.

Understanding the Essence of a Stottie Cake

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s understand what makes the stottie cake special.

This humble bread is known for its dense, slightly chewy texture and its perfectly flat surface.

Unlike many bread recipes that aim for a light and airy interior, a stottie cake is designed to be robust enough to hold a filling – and it’s traditionally enjoyed with a range of savory options.

The name “stottie” is thought to derive from the fact that it can ‘stott’ or bounce if dropped on a hard surface— though I wouldn’t advise actually testing that at home!

Traditionally baked on the bottom of a hot oven, this bread boasts a uniquely robust crust and a soft, dense crumb.

If you are a fan of the British Baking, you can find also a good recipe for the famous Scones on Taste10.com to add to your cooking book.

Essential Ingredients for Your Stottie Cake

To make a delicious stottie cake in your bread machine, you’ll need a few key ingredients.

Let’s explore what each brings to the final product:

• Strong Bread Flour: This is the backbone of our stottie cake.The high gluten content is crucial for developing the chewy texture we’re aiming for.Look for a flour that’s specifically labeled as ‘strong’ or ‘bread flour.’ We need approximately 500 grams. You can read more about bread flour on King Arthur Baking website.
• Warm Water: About 320 ml of warm water is required.The warmth is important because it helps activate the yeast, but be careful not to use water that’s too hot, as it can kill the yeast.
• Yeast: We’ll need one teaspoon of fast-action dried yeast.This ensures that our dough rises properly in the bread machine. If you want to know more about it, check the Red Star Yeast guide.
• Salt: One teaspoon of salt not only enhances the flavor but also helps to control the yeast activity.Always remember to add it and never forget that crucial ingredient.
• Optional – Sugar: One teaspoon of sugar.Although not traditional, a small amount of sugar can help activate the yeast and improve the bread’s overall texture and flavor profile.

Tools and Equipment Needed

For this recipe, the main equipment needed is, of course, your bread machine!

Here’s a checklist of what you’ll require:

• Bread Machine: Ensure your machine has a ‘dough’ setting.This setting is crucial for kneading and the first rise of thestottie cake dough.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: For precise measurements, especially for ingredients like yeast and salt.
• Large Baking Sheet: A baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Rolling Pin: To shape the dough.
• Parchment Paper: To prevent the stottie cake from sticking to the baking sheet.
• Optional – Small bowl: For a bit of water and a pastry brush.
• Optional – Wire Rack: For cooling after baking.

Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Stottie Cake in a Bread Machine

Follow these detailed steps to create a perfect stottie cake in your bread machine:

1. Prepare the Bread Machine: Begin by placing the bread machine pan into your bread maker and ensure it’s clean and ready.
2. Add Wet Ingredients: Pour the warm water into the bread machine pan. The order is very important, so always respect it.
3. Add Dry Ingredients: Add the bread flour, yeast, salt, and sugar into the pan on top of the water. The yeast should not touch the water or the salt directly, so always be sure to put it in the right order.
4. Select Dough Program: Close the lid of the bread machine and select the “dough” program.This program will knead and proof the dough for you.Set it and then let the bread machine do his magic.
5. Check the Dough: Once the dough cycle is finished, you will have your dough ready to use.Check the dough texture and consistency.It should be smooth and elastic. If the dough is too dry, add a little water. If it’s too wet, add a little flour.
6. Prepare the Baking Sheet: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin to prevent the dough from sticking.
7. Shape the Dough: Turn the dough out onto the lightly floured surface. Divide it in 2 and shape each piece into a large ball.Use a rolling pin to gently flatten it into a disc about ¾ inch thick.Remember that a stottie cake should be flat, so don’t be afraid to roll it well. You should get 2 stottie cakes.
8. Proof the Dough: Place the dough on the prepared baking sheet.Cover lightly with oiled plastic wrap and allow it to proof in a warm place for around 30 minutes.This is crucial to get a beautiful end result. You can check this guide from the BBC about how to proof the dough.
9. Preheat the Oven: While the dough is proofing, preheat your oven to 220°C (200°C fan/Gas Mark 7). The hot temperature is vital for the final crust.
10. Bake: Once proofed, brush the top of the stottie cake with water.This will create a nice crust. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
11. Cooling: Remove the stottie cake from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool slightly before serving.This allows the steam to escape and prevents it from becoming soggy.

Variations on the Classic Stottie Cake

While the traditional stottie cake is a delight on its own, there are several variations you might enjoy:

• Whole Wheat Stottie: Substitute half the white bread flour with whole wheat flour for a more rustic, nutty flavor.This adds a bit of extra fiber too!
• Herb Stottie: Add one tablespoon of dried herbs like rosemary or thyme into the dough for an aromatic twist.This works very well for savory preparations.
• Garlic Stottie: Mix 1-2 cloves of minced garlic into the dough to make a delicious garlic bread. Perfect served warm with pasta or to accompany a main course.
• Cheese Stottie: Mix 50 grams of grated cheese (Cheddar or Parmesan work well) into the dough for a cheesy variation.This will make it a more rich stottie cake.
• Seeded Stottie: Sprinkle the top of the stottie with sesame seeds or poppy seeds before baking for added texture and visual appeal.

Serving Suggestions and Presentation

The beauty of a stottie cake lies in its versatility.

Here are some serving ideas:

• Traditional Sandwich: Serve it with classic fillings such as ham, pease pudding, and mustard, and the result is a full meal on its own.
• Soup Accompaniment: The sturdy nature of a stottie cake makes it perfect for dipping into hearty soups or stews.It’s the perfect addition to a warm comforting meal.
• Breakfast Stottie: Toast it and serve it with butter, jam, or your favourite spread for a quick and simple breakfast.
• Pizza Base: Use the stottie cake as a base for a simple homemade pizza. Top it with your favorite sauce, cheese, and toppings.
• Garlic Bread: Slice it and serve it as garlic bread, or toast it and add some garlic butter or olive oil and herbs. You can use the technique from Taste10 to prepare this garlic bread and improve the flavour.

Storage Tips to Keep Your Stottie Cake Fresh

To maintain the quality of your stottie cake, proper storage is essential:

• Room Temperature: Store cooled stottie cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• Freezing: Freeze the stottie cake whole or in slices wrapped well in cling film and put in freezer bags, for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or in a low oven before serving.
• Reheating: If you are storing the stottie cake, you can reheat it in the oven or microwave for a few minutes to refresh its texture and warmth.A good way to have it as fresh as the day you baked it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I make Stottie Cake without a bread machine?

Yes, absolutely!

You can knead the dough by hand or in a stand mixer following the same recipe.

Once the dough is kneaded, follow the rest of the recipe from Step 6 onwards.

This is a bit more work but you will get the same results.

You can find more information about how to bake bread by hand on this guide from King Arthur Baking.

2. Can I use regular all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?

Bread flour is preferred for its high gluten content, which is essential for the chewy texture of a stottie cake.

However, you can use all-purpose flour, though the texture might be slightly different and less chewy.

3. Why is my Stottie Cake not flat enough?

The dough may not have been rolled thinly enough or proofed for long enough before baking.

Ensure the dough is rolled to about ¾ inch thick, and proofed well to achieve the perfect flat shape. Also, it’s very important not to make it too thick.

4. Can I add other ingredients to the Stottie Cake?

Yes, you can add other ingredients based on your preferences, such as herbs, garlic, cheese, or seeds. Feel free to experiment and personalize the recipe according to your taste.

A good way to find new flavour additions, check the Dakota Bread Recipe.

5. How can I make sure the bottom of the Stottie Cake is perfectly cooked?

To ensure the bottom of the stottie cake is cooked well, bake it on the bottom rack of your preheated oven on a baking tray.

This will ensure an even cooking on the base and on the top.

Conclusion

Baking a stottie cake in your bread machine is a delightful way to enjoy a taste of the North East of England without the fuss of traditional baking.

With the right ingredients and a few simple steps, you can create a perfectly chewy, flat bread that’s ideal for a variety of meals.

Whether you are serving it with savory fillings or just enjoying it with butter, this stottie cake recipe is guaranteed to become a firm favorite.

So, why wait? Gather your ingredients, switch on your bread machine, and let’s start baking!

Try this recipe and let us know if it’s a 10/10 taste 😀

Additional Recipes Ideas

• Bannock Bread (Bread Machine): A simple and versatile flatbread recipe with a quick method
• Pita Bread (Bread Machine): Perfect for stuffing with your favourite ingredients

Focaccia Bread (Bread Machine): An Italian herbed bread perfect for sharing. To add more variation to the recipe, check the Mary Berry’s Soda Bread Recipe.