Karen at Lavender and Lovage and Kate at What Kate Baked are co-hosting "Tea Time Treats". This month's theme, which is being hosted by Karen, is Sweet pastries and breads.
The Kentish Huffkin
The Huffkin is a traditional roll from Kent.They can be oval or round in shape and have a distinctive hole in the top, made by the baker's thumb. It's other feature is that it has a soft crust crust.
- 15g fresh yeast or 7.5ml dried yeast and a pinch of sugar
- 225ml warm milk and water
- 10ml sugar
- 450g plain flour
- 50g butter
- 5ml salt
Put flour,salt and sugar into a large bowl and rub in the butter.
Make a well in the centre and pour in the yeast mixture. Mix together and when dough leaves the sides of the bowl turn on to a floured surface.
Knead well for 10mins-this is important. It is ready when the dough is smooth.
Put into a clean bowl and cover with a cloth -leave it to rise for about 1hr in a warm place. It should double in size.
Divide dough into 12 portions and form them into round or oval shapes about 1cm thick. Put on trays and cover again leaving them in a warm place to double -about 30 mins.
Before baking make a deep indentation with your thumb in the centre of each Huffkin.
Bake at 220C/425For gas mark 6 for 15-20mins. Need them to be golden brown. Then wrap them in a warm cloth to cool.(This will keep the crusts soft.)
Now you can split them and have them buttered and filled with jam ,add cream and jam, or fill the 'thumb mark' with jam etc. As Kent is known for it's cherries it is nice to fill the Huffkin with fresh cherries.
Here is mine and I'm filling it with Kentish jam. Mmmmm