Stottie cake facts for kids
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| Alternative names | Stotty |
|---|---|
| Type | Bread |
| Place of origin | England |
| Region or state | North East England |
A stottie cake or stotty is a special type of bread from North East England. It is a large, flat, and round loaf. It usually measures about 30 centimeters (12 inches) across and 4 centimeters (1.5 inches) thick. Bakers often press an indent into its middle.
People sometimes compare stottie cake to "oven bottom bread" found elsewhere. However, "oven bottom bread" is a newer term. In the past, ovens were made of brick and only had a bottom surface for baking.
Contents
What Makes a Stottie Cake Special?
One main thing about stottie cake is its heavy, dough-like texture. Even though it uses yeast to rise, it feels very dense. It tastes a bit like raw dough.
Why is it so Dense?
Stottie cakes are heavy and dense because the dough is only allowed to rise once. Most breads rise twice. This single rise makes the bread very solid. Some people think stotties were first made to "test" ovens. They might be related to similar breads baked in Europe for the same reason. Also, some stotties were made from leftover dough after all the main loaves were baked.
How to Enjoy a Stottie
Stotties are usually eaten cut in half and filled with tasty ingredients. Popular fillings include ham and pease pudding. You can also fill them with bacon, egg, and sausage. The heavy texture of the bread makes it perfect for holding these fillings.
Why is it Called "Stottie"?
The name "stottie" comes from a word in the Northumbrian dialect. To "stott" means "to bounce." People say that if you dropped a stottie cake, it would bounce! This might also refer to how it was thrown onto the oven floor to bake. Scientists even use the word "stotting" to describe how antelopes jump when they see predators.
Tufty Buns
Tufty buns are smaller versions of stottie cakes. You can also find these smaller breads in bakeries across the North East of England.
See also
In Spanish: Stottie cake para niños
