Stottie Cake is a traditional type of bread originating from the North East of England, particularly associated with Newcastle, Sunderland, and surrounding areas. It’s a regional staple that reflects the area’s working-class culinary roots.
🥖 What is a Stottie Cake?
Despite the name “cake”, stotties are a type of bread, typically round and flat, with a dense, chewy texture and a soft crust. They are usually about the size of a dinner plate, thick in the middle and slightly flattened.
🔍 Key Features:
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Shape: Round, thick, and flat.
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Texture: Dense and soft with a slight chew.
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Crust: Soft rather than crusty.
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Baking Method: Traditionally baked on the floor of the oven, which gives the bottom a slightly tougher crust.
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Name Origin: From the Geordie word “to stot” meaning “to bounce” — because a well-made stottie could be bounced off the floor!
🧑🍳 Typical Ingredients:
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Strong white bread flour
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Water
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Yeast
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Salt
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A little fat (like lard or butter)
🍴 How is it Eaten?
Stotties are often sliced and filled with hearty fillings such as:
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Ham and pease pudding (a traditional local combo)
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Sausage and bacon
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Meat and gravy
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Fish fingers
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Or simply with butter
🏠 Cultural Significance:
Stottie cakes are a proud part of Geordie and North East identity. They were once a common, everyday bread, often homemade or bought from local bakeries, and are still a beloved local food.