Fat Rascal
Encyclopedia
A fat rascal, also called the Yorkshire tea biscuit or turf cake, is a type of cake
, similar to the scone
in both taste and ingredients. The fat rascal often has no definitive shape and is relatively easy to make. First baked in Elizabethan times
and originating in Yorkshire
, it is considered a biscuit
.
and Yorkshire. The origin of the name is unknown, but has been in use since at least the mid-nineteenth century. The name Turf Cake comes from the tradition of farmers baking them on turf fires
at Bettys Tea Rooms
, established in 1919, which are located across Yorkshire, and still sells them today.
, the fat rascal is generally listed as a breakfast cookie
which can be vanilla or chocolate flavour. These can be purchased at The Ruby Pear Tea Parlor in Noblesville, Indiana
.
Cake
Cake is a form of bread or bread-like food. In its modern forms, it is typically a sweet and enriched baked dessert. In its oldest forms, cakes were normally fried breads or cheesecakes, and normally had a disk shape...
, similar to the scone
Scone (bread)
The scone is a small Scottish quick bread especially popular in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand,Belgium and Ireland, but are also eaten in many other countries. They are usually made of wheat, barley or oatmeal, with baking powder as a leavening agent...
in both taste and ingredients. The fat rascal often has no definitive shape and is relatively easy to make. First baked in Elizabethan times
Elizabethan era
The Elizabethan era was the epoch in English history of Queen Elizabeth I's reign . Historians often depict it as the golden age in English history...
and originating in Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
, it is considered a biscuit
Biscuit
A biscuit is a baked, edible, and commonly flour-based product. The term is used to apply to two distinctly different products in North America and the Commonwealth Nations....
.
History and etymology
Fat rascals are round domed tea-cakes with a rich brown crust and made with currants and candied peel. They are closely associated with the Cleveland area on the borders of County DurhamCounty Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
and Yorkshire. The origin of the name is unknown, but has been in use since at least the mid-nineteenth century. The name Turf Cake comes from the tradition of farmers baking them on turf fires
Harrogate
It has been sold for a number of years in HarrogateHarrogate
Harrogate is a spa town in North Yorkshire, England. The town is a tourist destination and its visitor attractions include its spa waters, RHS Harlow Carr gardens, and Betty's Tea Rooms. From the town one can explore the nearby Yorkshire Dales national park. Harrogate originated in the 17th...
at Bettys Tea Rooms
Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate
Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate is an Anglo-Swiss family company located in North and West Yorkshire, England. Bettys Café Tea Rooms are traditional tea rooms serving traditional meals with influences both from Switzerland and Yorkshire. Taylors is a family tea and coffee merchant company which...
, established in 1919, which are located across Yorkshire, and still sells them today.
United States
In the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the fat rascal is generally listed as a breakfast cookie
Cookie
In the United States and Canada, a cookie is a small, flat, baked treat, usually containing fat, flour, eggs and sugar. In most English-speaking countries outside North America, the most common word for this is biscuit; in many regions both terms are used, while in others the two words have...
which can be vanilla or chocolate flavour. These can be purchased at The Ruby Pear Tea Parlor in Noblesville, Indiana
Noblesville, Indiana
Noblesville is a city in and the county seat of Hamilton County, Indiana, United States, located just north of Indianapolis. The population was 51,969 at the 2010 census making it the 14th largest city/town in the state, up from 19th in 2007...
.