Betty's Fat Rascals Recipe {Yorkshire Turf Cake}

This Betty's Fat Rascals recipe is a must to try with a cup of Yorkshire Tea! It's a delicious cake cross between a fruit scone and rock cake, made with dried fruit, citrus peel, and little faces made of cherries and almonds.

I'll also show you how to make a Christmas Yorkshire fat rascals version with brandy butter.

I have a huge love affair with a lunch break fat rascal Yorkshire recipe. I've got to buy some whenever I'm near Betty's in York or visiting the spa town of Harrogate. Move over Bettys tea room fondant fancies!

But if you can't go to a Bettys cafe tea room right now, I've tried to replicate their secret recipe. And I'm sure you'll agree that these famous Betty's Fat Rascals are perfect with a lovely mug of Yorkshire tea.

These delicious buns can also be handmade as different recipes to form a Yorkshire Fat Rascal gift selection box. Just swap some flour for cocoa powder, fruit for chocolate chips, etc.

Jump to:

• History of The Fat Rascal & Betty's Cake Shop
• ✔️ Why You'll Love this Recipe
• 🛒 Ingredient Notes
• 📋 Instructions
• 👩‍🍳 Substitutions
• ⚖️ Variations
• 🔪 Equipment
• ❄️ Storage
• 💡Pro Tips
• 🍽️ Serving Suggestions
• ❓ FAQ
• ➕ More English Afternoon Tea Recipes
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

History of The Fat Rascal & Betty's Cake Shop

The origin of the name Fat Rascal is believed to be similar to a basic recipe for a turf cake, dating back to approximately the mid-19th century in Whitby, North Yorkshire.

These are butter-based flat cakes, traditionally baked over a peat turf fire using leftover bits of dough at the end of the cooking day.

Years ago, Charles Dickens' magazine, "Household Words" also linked this English recipe to Singing Hinnies. Although these are flatter in appearance like a Welsh cake.

But it wasn't until Jonathan Wild, the great-nephew of Betty's Tea Room's Yorkshire firm founder, reinvented the turf bun with the name of Fat Rascals 40 years ago.

The original recipe has been selling like hot cakes in Betty's tearooms and is considered one of the most remarkable places to eat.

✔️ Why You'll Love this Recipe

• Easy to make with children
• Easily adaptable with your own twist
• A simple recipe using simple ingredients
• Afternoon tea treat without the high price
• Can be made into a Bettys Fat Rascal gift box

🛒 Ingredient Notes

Please see the printable recipe card with exact ingredient quantities and preparation instructions at the bottom of this post.

Flour - this is a mix of 50/50 mix of all purpose flour (plain flour) and self-raising flour for a gentle rise

Baking powder - to help the tea cakes rise

Spices - ground cinnamon and nutmeg, or ground mixed spice for a comforting taste

Salted butter - or unsalted butter with a pinch of salt. It also works with a baking block if on a budget.

Caster sugar - for sweetness. It works with golden caster sugar, and soft light brown sugar

Dried fruit - the cheapest way is to use dried mixed fruit, but the traditional recipe uses currants and dried citrus peel - both taste great!

Citrus zests - this is orange and lemon zest for the ultimate tasty fruit flavour

Eggs - 2 medium eggs, or 1 large egg lightly beaten, but leave some behind, or an egg yolk from 2 for an eggwash

Whole milk - at hand if you find your dough is a bit stiff, but we find the egg usually has enough water in it to not need it most of the time

To Decorate

• Glace cherries - halved
• Whole almonds

📋 Instructions

1. Preheat your oven at 180c fan / 200c conventional / Gas mark 6 / 400F

Tips: If the dough sticks to your fingers, mix in ½ a teaspoon of plain and self raising flour, test and repeat if needed.

OR: at step 7, for your large round on a well-floured surface while dividing it into 6 pieces.

👩‍🍳 Substitutions

Here are a few simple swaps you can do while creating a Fat Rascal York treat!

• Butter - we've also tried it with a vegan baking block for half the price, which worked perfectly
• Flours - for a Bettys Gluten Free fat Rascal, use Doves Freee GF Plain & Self Raising and GF baking powder. Or make it with wholemeal flours for more fibre
• Eggs - if already using plant-based butter, for a completely vegan Fat Rascal, you could make a flax egg by mixing 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed with 2.5 tablespoon water
• Caster sugar - for low sugar, swap for Pure Via stevia caster sugar sweetener, or honey for a slightly lower glycemic index
• Milk - swap for almond milk, coconut, or oat if you need to wet the dough a touch

⚖️ Variations

Here are a few ideas where you can personalize your own particular recipe with all the flavors you love!

• Double chocolate - swap a tablespoon from each flour with cocoa powder and replace fruit for chocolate chips
• Deluxe - stir in lemon juice to soften dough while adding extra flavour or double cream for a more indulgent treat
• Kid friendly version - as they make very large rounds, make cheeky little rascals by dividing the mixture into 12 rounds
• Extra fruity - swap ordinary dried mixed fruit for cranberries and apricots, or candied orange and sultana for more antioxidants and vitamin C
• Christmas Fat Rascals (below) - give this regular recipe a Festive touch by swapping the butter for 195g of brandy butter. Also, omit the sugar as it is sweet enough, or make your own via BBC Good Food

You might also like my shortbread currant biscuits with mixed peel.

🔪 Equipment

Please note that as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through affiliate links.

• Large bowl or food processor
• Baking tray - lined or well greased
• Silicone baking mat
• Measuring spoons
• Measuring cups if following my US conversions
• Weighing scales
• Wooden spoon
• Pastry brush
• Salt and pepper grinder
• Chopping knife
• Chopping board

❄️ Storage

Storing - we prefer eating fat rascals immediately after they have cooled. But if you have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Freezing - cool to room temperature, tightly wrap each one in tin foil, and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 5 months.

Reheating - If you want to eat the next day, defrost in the fridge if required and microwave for 20-30 seconds, or reheat in the oven at 160c fan/180c/gas mark 4/350F for 5 minutes

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Cream and Jam: Enjoy a warm Fat Rascal with some clotted cream and raspberry and blueberry or strawberry jam for a decadent afternoon treat

Hot drink: Pair it with a cup of Earl Grey tea or coffee for a classic combination

Toast: Slice a Fat Rascal in half and toast it lightly on both sides before buttering

Honey: spread some butter and honey on each slice and sprinkle some cinnamon for a sweet and spicy breakfast

Fresh fruit: serve it with some fresh berries or Greek yogurt for extra freshness

❓ FAQ

➕ More English Afternoon Tea Recipes

Looking for some more recipes like this? Try these:

📖 Recipe