Traditional Cornish Recipes You Can Try at Home

Cornwall, the rugged and romantic peninsula in the southwest of England, is famous not only for its dramatic coastlines and Celtic legends but also for its rich culinary heritage. Traditional Cornish recipes reflect the region’s farming, fishing, and mining history, offering simple yet hearty meals made from local ingredients.

Whether you’re a food enthusiast, a nostalgic Cornish native abroad, or simply looking to expand your kitchen repertoire, this article will guide you through classic Cornish dishes you can try at home. From the world-famous Cornish pasty to lesser-known treats like hevva cake and Stargazy pie, you’ll find recipes, cooking tips, and cultural context to enhance your culinary experience.

The Classic Cornish Pasty

History

The Cornish pasty is the most iconic dish of Cornwall, with Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status under EU law. Originally made for tin miners, the pasty features a thick crimped crust, designed to be held with dirty hands and discarded after eating.

Ingredients

• 500g beef skirt or chuck steak
• 1 large potato (thinly sliced)
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 1 small swede (diced)
• Salt & black pepper
• Shortcrust pastry

Instructions

1. Roll out the pastry and cut into circles.
2. Layer the potato, swede, onion, and beef.
3. Season well.
4. Fold over and crimp the edges.
5. Bake at 180°C for 45–50 minutes until golden brown.

Tip: Always use raw ingredients inside the pasty; they cook together to form a succulent filling.

 Stargazy Pie

History

A quirky and traditional Christmas Eve dish from the village of Mousehole. The pie features whole pilchards with heads poking through the crust, hence the name “Stargazy.”

Ingredients

• 6 pilchards or sardines
• 2 boiled eggs
• 100g bacon (diced)
• 1 onion
• 200ml milk
• 1 tbsp flour
• Puff pastry

Instructions

1. Make a white sauce with bacon, onion, and flour.
2. Layer eggs and pilchards into a pie dish.
3. Pour over the sauce.
4. Top with puff pastry, leaving fish heads exposed.
5. Bake at 200°C for 30 minutes.

Fun Fact: The visible heads symbolize prosperity and a successful fishing season.

Hevva Cake (Heavy Cake)

Background

A traditional Cornish teatime cake made by fishermen’s wives when the catch was “hevva” or plentiful.

Ingredients

• 250g plain flour
• 100g butter
• 100g sugar
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 1 egg
• 75g currants or sultanas

Instructions

1. Rub butter into flour.
2. Stir in sugar, spice, and dried fruits.
3. Add beaten egg and mix to a dough.
4. Press into a baking tin and score a cross-hatch pattern.
5. Bake at 190°C for 25–30 minutes.

Perfect with: A mug of Cornish tea or clotted cream.

Cornish Clotted Cream and Scones

Origin

Cornish clotted cream has PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) status and is a key component of the famous cream tea.

Ingredients

• 250g self-raising flour
• 50g butter
• 25g sugar
• 1 egg
• 150ml milk
• Clotted cream & strawberry jam (for serving)

Instructions

1. Mix flour and butter to form crumbs.
2. Stir in sugar and egg.
3. Gradually add milk to form a dough.
4. Roll out and cut into rounds.
5. Bake at 220°C for 12 minutes.
6. Serve with jam and clotted cream (jam first in Cornwall!).

Cornish Fairings

What Are They?

Traditional spiced ginger biscuits that were once sold at fairs and markets.

Ingredients

• 100g butter
• 100g plain flour
• 50g caster sugar
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• ½ tsp mixed spice
• 1 tbsp golden syrup

Instructions

1. Melt butter and syrup.
2. Mix dry ingredients and stir in the syrup mix.
3. Roll into balls and flatten.
4. Bake at 190°C for 10–12 minutes.

Cornish Junket

Description

A sweet, milky dessert made with rennet and topped with nutmeg and clotted cream.

Ingredients

• 500ml full-fat milk
• 2 tbsp sugar
• ½ tsp liquid rennet
• Nutmeg
• Clotted cream

Instructions

1. Warm milk to body temperature.
2. Add sugar and rennet.
3. Let set for 30 minutes.
4. Top with nutmeg and clotted cream.

Cornish Fish Stew (Fish Pie Alternative)

Hearty and Healthy

Cornwall’s long fishing tradition makes fish stew a staple in many households.

Ingredients

• 300g white fish
• 200g smoked haddock
• 1 onion, leeks
• 500ml fish stock
• 100ml cream
• Mashed potatoes

Instructions

1. Sauté onions and leeks.
2. Add fish and stock, then simmer.
3. Stir in cream and season.
4. Top with mashed potato and bake at 180°C for 25 mins.

Cornish Splits

Traditional Yeast Buns

Soft, sweet rolls served with jam and cream.

Ingredients

• 500g strong flour
• 7g yeast
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 50g butter
• 300ml warm milk

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients into a dough.
2. Let rise until doubled.
3. Shape into rolls and proof again.
4. Bake at 200°C for 15–20 minutes.

Cornish Apple Dappy

Apple-Packed Pudding

A lesser-known dessert made by rolling spiced apples into suet pastry.

Ingredients

• Suet pastry
• 2 apples (sliced)
• Cinnamon, sugar
• Butter

Instructions

1. Roll out pastry, layer with apples, cinnamon, and sugar.
2. Roll like a Swiss roll and slice.
3. Bake slices in a dish with water and butter at 180°C for 30 minutes.

Newlyn Crab Sandwich

Seafood Simplicity

This sandwich captures Cornwall’s fishing village essence.

Ingredients

• Fresh crab meat
• Lemon juice
• Mayonnaise
• Lettuce
• Brown bread

Instructions

1. Mix crab with mayo and lemon.
2. Spread on bread with lettuce.
3. Serve chilled with crisps or salad.

Healthier Substitutes and Modern Tips

While Cornish recipes are rich and comforting, you can adjust them for modern diets:

• Use wholemeal flour for pasties and scones.
• Try plant-based butters or dairy-free cream alternatives.
• Bake rather than fry fish-based recipes.

FAQs About Traditional Cornish Cooking

❓ Can I freeze Cornish pasties?

Yes. Freeze after baking and reheat in the oven.

❓ Where can I find Cornish clotted cream outside the UK?

Check British specialty stores or order online from Cornish dairies.

❓ Are these recipes kid-friendly?

Absolutely! Most Cornish dishes are mild, wholesome, and filling.

Conclusion: Bringing Cornwall to Your Kitchen

These traditional Cornish recipes don’t just fill your belly—they connect you with a vibrant and proud regional culture. Whether it’s the hearty warmth of a pasty, the sweet nostalgia of hevva cake, or the whimsy of Stargazy pie, Cornish cooking is full of history, flavor, and love.

So grab your apron, gather your ingredients, and start a culinary journey that’s both enriching and delicious—from the comfort of your own kitchen.