David J. Gatward's Blog

 Fat Rascal Fat Rascals are as Yorkshire as fruit cake and Wensleydale cheese. Which is why a southerner like Harry would be slightly baffled as to what they actually are. In truth, they're similar to rock cakes - a staple of my childhood and probably lots of other childhoods of Brits who grew up in the1970s and 80s. I was surprised at how many recipes were out there online, considering how much of a local speciality Fat Rascals are. Once again, I went with a good ol' BBC version . I mean, what else do I pay my TV license for :)     Ingredients 175g plain flour 175g self-raising flour 175g cold butter, cut into cubes 1 tsp baking powder 120g caster sugar 175g mixed dried fruit 1 tsp cinnamon ½ tsp nutmeg 1 orange, zested 1 lemon, zested 2 eggs, beaten 1-2 tbsp milk To decorate 18 blanched almonds 3 glacé cherries, halved  Method STEP 1 Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Line a large baking sheet with baking parchment. Put the flours and butter in a food processor and blitz

Interview with Dave Cockett   How secret is the Cockett’s Fruit Cake recipe? And is it still made using your great, great (I’m not sure how many greats here!) grandma (is she?), Connie Cockett’s original recipe?   Very secret! 😂   If you were to make a special Harry Grimm cake, what would it be?  There’s only one special cake for Harry, and that’s the Cockett’s Fruit Cake, obviously.  Have you read any of the Grimm books yet? Unfortunately, I haven’t got to read any of the books yet, however, plenty of people must have, given the comments we get from some of our customers!  Would you ever share the recipe for the Cockett’s ginger cake?  No!  Do you get many visitors popping in now because of the Grimm books?   See my answer re the books above!  What’s your favourite type of Yorkshire cheese and beer? As you know, Wensleydale is famous for cheese, but their blue cheese has to be one of the best, especially while drinking a pint of Theakston’s Best!  Can you give a list of t