Gur cake facts for kids
A piece of gur cake
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| Type | Cake |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Republic of Ireland |
| Region or state | Dublin |
| Main ingredients | Shortcrust pastry, cake crumbs, tea, orange juice, cinnamon, ginger, caster sugar |
Gur cake is a traditional pastry from Dublin, Ireland. It is a sweet treat with a thick, dark filling between two thin layers of pastry. People in other parts of Ireland might call it chester cake or gudge. Sometimes, it is even called donkey's gudge in Cork. In some parts of the UK, it is known as flies graveyard.
What is Gur Cake?
Gur cake has a special filling. This filling is a dark brown paste. It is made from a mix of cake or bread crumbs. It also contains dried fruits like sultanas and raisins. A sweet syrup or binder holds it all together. Gur cake has always been a cheap treat. Bakeries traditionally made it using leftover ingredients.
Why is it Called "Gur Cake"?
The name Gur cake likely comes from the word "gurrier." In the past, children who skipped school were called gurriers. When a child was skipping school, they were said to be 'on the gur'.
Gur cake was one of the cheapest items in bakeries. This meant it was often the only treat a child 'on the gur' could afford. This is how the cake got its unique name.
A Taste of Dublin's History
In bakeries, Gur cake is usually sold in squares. These squares are about 8 centimeters (3 inches) wide and 3 centimeters (1 inch) thick.
In Dublin, Gur cake is seen as a symbol of working-class areas. It is a simple, affordable treat that has been enjoyed by many generations. The cake is even mentioned in books. For example, the historian Éamonn Mac Thomáis wrote about it in his 1976 book, Gur Cake and Coal Blocks. This shows how important Gur cake is to Dublin's history and culture.
