Stottie Cake Recipe for Bread Machines: A Comprehensive Guide

Making stottie cake at home is an exciting journey into the heart of British baking. This article dives deep into the stottie cake recipe bread machine adaptation, offering easy-to-follow guidance on creating this unique bread. We’ll explore the traditional method, adapt it for modern bread machines, and share tips for achieving the perfect texture and flavor.

Whether you’re new to bread baking or a seasoned pro, this article will teach you how to make a delicious stottie cake with just a few ingredients and a bread machine. The stottie cake’s thick, chewy texture and delightful crust make it the perfect canvas for fillings like pease pudding and ham. Ready to get started? Let’s bake!

Introduction to Stottie Cake

What is Stottie Cake?

Stottie cake, originating from North East England, is an iconic round loaf with a uniquely flat shape. It’s often compared to a frisbee, due to its round and flat appearance. Unlike regular bread, which rises evenly, stottie cake remains dense, with a chewy, doughy texture that makes it perfect for sandwiches.

This humble, rustic bread is traditionally baked in a coal oven, allowing the crust to develop a distinctive crispness while maintaining softness inside. Originally, it was designed to carry heavy fillings, as the thick crust would hold up better during travel. Today, stottie cake remains a staple in British cuisine, particularly in the North East, where it’s enjoyed as a classic sandwich bread.

The Significance of Stottie Cake in British Cuisine

Stottie cake isn’t just about taste – it’s a symbol of the North East England culture. Known for its hearty, no-frills nature, it reflects the hardworking values of the region. Back in the day, it was often baked by local bakeries and sold as the ideal sandwich bread, as its durable texture and long shelf life made it perfect for daily use. Today, it’s still common to see stottie cake at local markets, with its legendary fillings.

From family gatherings to public celebrations, stottie cake has its place in the heart of regional traditions. It’s more than just food; it’s part of the community’s shared history and pride. And now, thanks to modern appliances like bread machines, this delicious bread can be brought into your home with ease!

Traditional Stottie Cake vs. Bread Machine Adaptation

Traditional Baking Methods

Stottie cake has a rich history, traditionally baked in large, brick, coal ovens. The secret to its chewy texture lies in how it’s baked: slowly. Once the dough is prepared, it’s placed on the oven floor where the heat surrounds it, resulting in the crispy crust we know and love, while keeping the inside soft and moist. This traditional method gives the bread a distinctive texture, much thicker and denser than most commercial loaves. It’s this combination of crispy outside and soft inside that makes stottie cake so unique.

For many generations, these ovens were used, and this slow, even baking helped develop a stottie cake that could stand up to the hearty fillings it was known for. While many people still swear by the original method, it’s not always feasible for the modern home baker. That’s where the bread machine steps in, offering a faster, more convenient solution for making stottie cake.

Adapting the Recipe for Bread Machines

Using a bread machine for a stottie cake recipe brings speed and simplicity without sacrificing flavor. Since the bread machine takes care of kneading and proving the dough, home bakers no longer need the hours of patience required for the traditional method. Instead, you get a soft, doughy base that’s ready for the oven in a fraction of the time.

That said, it’s important to note that the texture might differ slightly when baked in a bread machine. The absence of direct coal-oven heat means the crust won’t develop the same way. However, by using the right settings on your bread machine and baking at the correct temperature in a regular oven, you can still create a stottie cake that’s close to the original.

Some adjustments may be necessary in the dough-making process, particularly the temperature and timing settings. These can affect the rise, texture, and overall result of your loaf. Don’t worry—trial and error might be required, but with patience, your bread machine can turn out stottie cake worthy of any regional bakery!

Essential Ingredients for Stottie Cake

Flour Selection

When making a stottie cake recipe bread machine, choosing the right flour is key to achieving the right structure. The best flour for stottie cake is strong white bread flour. It’s rich in protein, giving the bread that elastic, chewy texture that makes stottie cake so satisfying. Regular all-purpose flour won’t give you the same results—it lacks the necessary gluten to properly form the dough’s structure.

You can easily find strong bread flour at most supermarkets or online. Some bakers like to combine it with a small amount of whole wheat flour for added flavor and density, but for a classic stottie cake, strong white bread flour is the way to go. Keep in mind, the quality of the flour you use will affect the final outcome of your loaf, so opt for fresh, high-quality flour.

Yeast and Leavening Agents

For your stottie cake to rise to perfection, you’ll need yeast to help create that airy, chewy texture. You can use either instant or active dry yeast, though instant yeast is typically easier to work with in a bread machine as it doesn’t need to be proofed. Simply add the yeast along with the flour, and let the bread machine take care of the rest.

Another ingredient you may want to consider is milk powder, which enhances both the texture and flavor of the bread. While it’s optional, milk powder can help achieve a slightly richer flavor and softer crumb inside your stottie cake. If you decide to use it, a tablespoon or two added along with the flour should suffice.

The leavening agents, combined with the proper amount of hydration, are essential for helping your dough rise evenly and ensuring your loaf holds its iconic shape. So, whether you’re using the traditional method or a bread machine, these ingredients form the backbone of the stottie cake recipe. Don’t forget them!

Step-by-Step Stottie Cake Recipe for Bread Machines

Preparing the Dough

Making your stottie cake recipe bread machine starts with adding the ingredients into the bread machine. First, ensure your ingredients are placed in the correct order: wet ingredients first (water, oil), followed by dry ingredients (flour, salt, yeast). The precise order ensures the dough mixes well without premature activation of the yeast. Close the bread machine lid, select the “Dough” cycle, and let the machine do its magic!

The machine will knead the dough, giving it that chewy texture typical of stottie cakes. This process takes about an hour, but make sure to monitor the dough’s consistency. If it feels too sticky or dry, you can adjust with small amounts of water or flour. Once the cycle is complete, the dough will be well mixed and ready for shaping.

Shaping the Dough

After the dough is kneaded, take it out of the bread machine and transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Shape the dough into a flat, round disc, about the size of a dinner plate. Stottie cakes are known for their flattened shape, which is critical to getting that delicious texture.

Once shaped, place the dough on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Cover the dough loosely with a tea towel or cling film and leave it to rise in a warm place for around 30–45 minutes. The dough should double in size before baking, so don’t rush this step!

Baking Process

For the final step, it’s time to bake your stottie cake. Preheat the oven to around 400°F (200°C). Place the dough in the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown. To achieve that perfect, crispy crust, you may want to place an empty tray of water at the bottom of your oven to create some steam.

Once done, take the bread out and let it cool before slicing. Now you’ve got a stottie cake with a chewy inside and a crunchy crust, ready to serve!

Achieving Authentic Stottie Cake Texture

Kneading and Proofing Techniques

Achieving the right texture with your stottie cake recipe bread machine relies heavily on two key steps: kneading and proofing. Kneading gives the dough structure, which creates that satisfying chewiness. Even with a bread machine, you might want to take the dough out midway and give it a little more hand-kneading. This step helps develop gluten, resulting in a more elastic dough.

Proofing (or letting the dough rise) is equally important. Ensure the dough rises in a warm place until it doubles in size. Don’t skip this part! If the dough doesn’t rise enough, the texture will be dense and compact. Keep your dough covered to prevent it from drying out.

Baking Temperature and Time

When it comes to baking the stottie cake, temperature and time matter! As mentioned earlier, bake your bread at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes. It’s a good idea to check the bread midway through the baking process to make sure the crust isn’t getting too hard or dark. If needed, you can cover it loosely with foil to prevent over-browning.

If you’re looking for that authentic stottie cake texture, remember that you might need to adjust these steps. Every oven behaves differently, so keep an eye on the bread. The end result should be a crusty exterior, with a soft and slightly dense interior that’s perfect for hearty fillings.

For more delicious baking inspiration, check out our other recipes for making traditional breads at home!

Troubleshooting Common Stottie Cake Issues

Dense Texture: Why Does It Happen?

One of the common issues when making a stottie cake recipe bread machine is a dense texture. While stottie cakes are naturally denser than regular breads, they shouldn’t be so heavy that they feel like a brick. If your loaf is too dense, it could be due to several factors.

First, you might not have kneaded the dough enough, or you may have used the wrong flour. As mentioned before, using strong white bread flour with the right protein content is key to getting the proper chewiness. If you’re finding your stottie cake is too heavy, it’s a good idea to check the consistency of your dough mid-kneading. Add more water or flour as needed to achieve a smooth, slightly tacky dough.

Next, yeast could be another culprit. If the yeast you used wasn’t fresh or it wasn’t activated properly, it can affect how the dough rises, leading to a denser loaf. Double-check your yeast to ensure it’s still active, and remember to follow the bread machine’s cycle correctly for optimal proofing.

Sticking to the Bread Machine Pan

If your stottie cake sticks to the bread machine pan after baking, it can be an annoying issue to deal with. This usually happens when the bread wasn’t greased well, or if the loaf was left in the pan too long after baking. It’s important to use a little oil or butter in the pan before adding your ingredients, ensuring your bread comes out with ease.

Another tip is to remove the loaf immediately after the baking cycle is complete. Letting the bread cool too much in the pan can cause it to stick, making it difficult to get it out in one piece. When you finish baking your stottie cake recipe bread machine, place it on a wire rack to cool.

Serving and Storing Your Stottie Cake

Serving Suggestions

One of the best parts about a stottie cake is its versatility. The dense, chewy nature of this bread makes it perfect for sandwich fillings. Traditionally, it’s used for hearty combinations like pease pudding and ham, but don’t stop there. Try fillings such as roast beef, chicken, or cheese and pickle. The possibilities are endless!

For a more festive twist, you could also cut your stottie cake into small, bite-sized pieces and serve it as part of a bread platter at gatherings. Its thick, satisfying crust also makes it great for dipping into stews and soups.

Storing Your Stottie Cake

To keep your stottie cake fresh, store it in a bread bin or wrap it in a clean kitchen towel. While it won’t go stale as quickly as other types of bread due to its sturdy texture, stottie cake is best enjoyed within a couple of days. For longer storage, you can freeze individual slices of stottie cake, which makes it easy to thaw a slice as needed.

So, whether you’re serving it fresh out of the oven or preparing it for sandwiches the next day, stottie cake is a delightful, hearty bread that holds up to all sorts of fillings and uses!

For more delicious recipes, be sure to check out our collection of homemade bread recipes and more!

FAQs About Stottie Cake and Bread Machines

How Long Does It Take to Make Stottie Cake in a Bread Machine?

The time it takes to make a stottie cake recipe bread machine depends largely on your machine’s settings. Most bread machines require around 1–1.5 hours for kneading and proofing the dough. After that, you’ll need about 20–25 minutes to bake the bread in your oven. So, while the bread machine does the heavy lifting, total preparation time is typically about 2.5 to 3 hours from start to finish.

Can I Make Stottie Cake Without a Bread Machine?

Yes! If you don’t have a bread machine, you can still make a stottie cake by hand. Simply knead the dough by hand for about 8–10 minutes, then follow the same steps for proofing, shaping, and baking. It will require more time and effort, but the result will be just as satisfying as using a bread machine.

Why Is My Stottie Cake Too Hard?

If your stottie cake turns out too hard, it’s usually due to over-baking or the dough not having enough hydration. Be sure to keep an eye on it as it bakes, and remove it as soon as the crust turns golden brown. Additionally, if the dough is too dry when preparing, add a little more water to help keep the bread soft and tender.

Can I Add Flavor to Stottie Cake?

Yes, you can customize your stottie cake! For a savory twist, add herbs like rosemary, thyme, or garlic to the dough. Alternatively, you can mix in grated cheese, olives, or sun-dried tomatoes for a Mediterranean flavor. Just ensure that any additions don’t interfere with the dough’s structure or hydration levels.

Whether you’re making it in a bread machine or by hand, these FAQs should help ensure your stottie cake is a perfect, mouth-watering success! For more tips on baking traditional breads, explore our collection of bread recipes.Also, if you’re looking for tips to revive a dry cake, check out our article on how to prevent and revive a dry chocolate pound cake here.