Eccles Cakes and Downton Abbey

Just this week I found a blog I love!

I am a huge fan of Downton Abbey , and was so pleased to see a blog which specializes in Downton Abbey cooking. I will certainly be trying some of those recipes.

cropped-downtonabbey

I happened to bake some eccles cakes, as I had currants, mixed peel, and a packet of puff pastry left over from Christmas baking. When I worked downtown many years ago, I would often buy Eccles cakes at Eatons department  store (I still miss Eatons!!)

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Here is a link to the blog’s recipe, which differs somewhat from the one I used.

http://downtonabbeycooks.com/2012/05/08/tea-tuesday-mothers-day-tea-ideas-eccles-cakes/

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I set out my Mom’s silver tea service and tray, and am using a cup and saucer she received from my Dad in the early 1950’s. If he went on a rare business trip he often brought back a cup and saucer for her. This particular cup was her favorite. The stamp is Paragon bone china, by appointment to Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary.

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Be sure to visit our delightful hostess, Sandi, who hosts Tea Time every week.

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Comments

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said…
I miss Eaton's too, especially the home delivery of items from the catalogue years ago. It was ideal for a young mother to order needed things without having to bundle up children to a store.
We have the same silver teapot, although mine is not usable from the state of the interior. I like eccles cakes and may try the recipe.
Judith
February 4, 2013 at 12:16 PM
kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said…
Hi Millie, I've never heard of Eccles cake, but thanks for sending along the website for Downton Abbey recipes. I so look forward to watching it every week. I love your pretty silver teapot and teacup.
February 4, 2013 at 1:30 PM
Phyllis @Around the House said…
Those look so delicious, yummy, love the silver tray and the little setting for your eccles cake, I also have never heard of it and unfortunately I do not get the channel to downton abbey...I will have to get a cd...lol
February 4, 2013 at 1:46 PM
Pamela Gordon said…
I also miss Eaton's. It was such a great store in Moncton and as we had a catalogue warehouse there it was a major employer along with the CNR. I even worked there for many years! I have never hear of Eccles cakes but they would be tasty. Your teacup is one of the prettiest I've seen. Such a bright inside compared to the pale aqua outside. Gorgeous!
February 4, 2013 at 2:11 PM
Bernideen said…
I found this blog to and have totally enjoyed it! Your cake looks wonderful!
February 4, 2013 at 2:35 PM
Stephanie said…
Hi Millie,

I have not had Eccles cake, but I may have to try it sometime :) Yours look very delicious and what a beautiful silver tea pot.

Have a lovely week!

Hugs,
Stephanie
February 4, 2013 at 2:50 PM
Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said…
Hello Millie,
Your silver teapot and Paragon teacup are beautiful! How lovely that you have these treasures. I have not had Eccles cake but it looks good.
I sure do miss the Eatons store too. I always enjoyed having the parcels delivered instead of having to go out for them. And the kids always enjoyed going at Christmastime when they had the store so beautifully decorated. Our Charlottetown store was especially lovely! Thank you for coming to tea today. Your post is delightful.

Blessings,
Sandi
February 4, 2013 at 3:55 PM
Two Cottages And Tea said…
Hi Millie,
What a beautiful tea you gave us today! I love the silver and your teacup is beautiful! I love the flower inside the cup! Happy Tea day to you!
Nancy
February 4, 2013 at 5:41 PM
Cindy said…
Your tea tray looks lovely and those tea cakes sound wonderful!
I was talking to two senior ladies last Tues. and they were telling me all about the Eatons store and what it was like. It sounds like it was Winnipeg's Macys. It makes me wish I lived back in those days... my love of vintage items proves that I certainly could have.
Hugs, Cindy
February 4, 2013 at 8:38 PM
Beth said…
Your tea tray looks beautiful! Love the Paragon teacup!
February 5, 2013 at 11:46 AM
FABBY'S LIVING said…
Oh, what a beautiful post! I love anything Downton Abbey and the Eccles cake are making me drool!! Thanks for the DA recipe link, I'm gonna check it out. The silver tray is gorgeous too. Thank you for your sweet and kind comments. Big hugs,
FABBY
February 5, 2013 at 1:29 PM
Tea in Texas said…
The food at Downton Abbey is always interesting but I love to see the china they are using, too! The Eccles cake looks delicious and I have heard of them and but don't remember where I tried it. Your silver set is lovely and the Paragon teacup and saucer is a true treasure. I love the story about your Dad bring it home to your Mother. Thanks for sharing the recipe site!

Pam
February 5, 2013 at 10:41 PM
Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said…
Millie,
Thanks so much for stopping by! What a lovely post!! I have yet to start watching my newly purchased boxed set of Season one and two of Downton Abby....

Hugs,
Debbie
February 6, 2013 at 2:02 PM
Lorrie said…
I recently found the Downton Abbey Cooks blog, too. Such fun.

Thank you for commenting on my post - the school was BBC, also known as BBI, at Caronport, as you've probably guessed. It was a loooong time ago!
February 14, 2013 at 2:46 PM
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