This recipe appears in the new Official Downton Abbey Cookbook. Orange cakes were one of the staples of the period and appear in many cookbooks. This version is originally from Margaret Black's Superior Cookery (1887) uses oranges and lemons and packs a very citrusy punch. … [Read more...] about Downton’s Orange Layer Cake
Afternoon Tea
Truffled Wild Mushroom Tartlets
Quiche like tartlets are a great addition to your appetizer tray; Your local supermarket will likely have a variety of wild and specialty mushrooms for you to experiment with. You could substitute melted butter for the truffle oil, but there is nothing like the earthy smell and … [Read more...] about Truffled Wild Mushroom Tartlets
Downton’s Dundee Cake
Dundee cake is a Scottish light fruitcake. The story goes that it was originally made for Mary Queen of Scots in the 16th century, but since she didn't like cherries they were omitted and the top was decorated with concentric circles of almonds. This version comes from the … [Read more...] about Downton’s Dundee Cake
Maids of Honour Tarts
It is generally believed that Henry VIII was the first to use the name of this famous tart after he saw Ann Boleyn and other “maids of honour” eating these tarts. He locked away the recipe in the Richmond Palace and declared that it was for royal consumption only. By the 18th … [Read more...] about Maids of Honour Tarts
Royal Family Gingerbread – A Palace Cookie Tradition Lives On
The holidays just wouldn’t be the same without the seasonal aromas of ginger and spice baking in the royal ovens at Buckingham Palace. Gingerbread biscuits have been a staple of royal Christmases since Queen Victoria’s era, lending a delicious dose of history to each seasonal … [Read more...] about Royal Family Gingerbread – A Palace Cookie Tradition Lives On