Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small, round, flat pastry: An "eccles cake" is a specific type of British baked good. It consists of a round of flaky pastry, typically made with butter, that is filled with a mixture of currants, sugar, and spices. The pastry is folded over the filling, flattened, and scored on top before being baked until golden brown.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • I bought an eccles cake and a cup of tea from the bakery.
  • Traditional eccles cakes are filled with currants, butter, and spices.
  • Would you like an eccles cake with your coffee?

Advanced Usage

• "To be as flat as an eccles cake": An informal simile used to describe something that is very flat.
  • After the tire blew out, it was as flat as an eccles cake.

Variants and Related Words

• Currant cake: A more general term that could describe a cake containing currants, though it is not synonymous with the specific pastry form of an eccles cake.
• Fruit pastry: A broader category that includes eccles cakes and similar items like mince pies.

Synonyms

• Fruit pastry: A general term for pastries containing dried or candied fruit.
• Currant bun: While a bun is typically a softer, bread-like item, it shares the key ingredient of currants.

Notes on Meaning

• The name "eccles cake" originates from the town of Eccles in Greater Manchester, England, where they are said to have been first sold commercially.
• It is a protected food name in the UK under the "Geographical Indication" scheme, meaning only cakes made in a specific traditional manner within a certain area can be legally called "Eccles Cakes."

Noun

1. a flat round cake of sweetened pastry filled with dried fruit