When I first heard of the British National Trust’s Historic Cake recipes, my mind immediately flipped to Seinfeld, as it is want to do in relation to almost anything. When recalling Historic Cakes, I was remembering the episode when Elaine stole a forkful and then the entire slice of the King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson wedding cake that her boss J. Peterman had purchased at auction for $29,000.
Bizarre as it may sound, British royal wedding cake slices do go up for auction from time to time with a slice of the Princess Diana and Prince Charles wedding cake going for auction for £1000 – not quite the dizzying heights of the Seinfeld slice ( in 1998, the year Princess Diana passed away a slice of this wedding cake sold for £17,000) but if anything, one with a sweet story behind it. The 9 inch slice – from the top tier of the cake no less – was given by the Queen Mother to a former royal servant Moyra Smith who promptly wrapped it in clingfilm and kept it in her attic for 27 years. After Moyra Smith died, her husband sold the cake and gave the proceeds to charity which was her wish.
Seinfeld and royal wedding cakes aside, I was immediately drawn to this Gloucestershire Apple and Cheese cake as it wasn’t a cheesecake as such, but a cake that just happened to have a generous serving of cheddar cheese in it. And if that doesn’t win you over I think you might just have a heart of stone.
I used pears as I happened to have those to hand but of course you could use apples as the original recipe stated. It is easier to grate a firmer pear than a soft one where it will disintegrate into mush. Gloucestershire cheese is fairly widely available or any fabulous cheddar will do. The resulting cake is gorgeous – it’s more of a loaf actually owing to it’s shape and lack of “icing”. The texture is very light with a delicious taste of cheddar and little moist droplets from the grated pear. The staying power for this loaf is rather good with it lasting for about 5 days in an airtight container and not losing any of it’s moistness or tender texture.
Gloucestershire Pear and Cheese cake
Ingredients
- 120g butter
- 180g caster sugar
- 2 eggs
- 225g cooking pears cored
- 120g good cheddar grated
- 60g flaked almonds
- 350g plain flour
- 100g cornflour
- ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 3 tablespoons light sour cream
Method
1. Heat the oven to GM4/180’C/350’F. Grease and line a 2lb-loaf tin.
2. Grate the pears whole, retaining the juice and the peel as well as the flesh.
3. Cream the butter and the sugar together and beat in the eggs. Stir in the sour cream, pears, cheese and the almonds.
4. Sift together the flours, bicarb and baking powder and fold into the cake mixture.
5. Turn into the tin and smooth the top. Bake for about 1 hour until an inserted skewer comes out cleanly. Cool in the tin for 10 minutes and then turn on to a wire rack to cool completely.
Recipe adapted from the National Trust Historic Cake Recipes
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41 Comments | Add your own
What a great combo! That cake looks really tasty and delicious!
Cheers,
Rosa
I had to laugh at the Seinfeld reference because I’ve seen every episode a bajillion times!
I love it when Elain is dancing with the cake and going back for one more sliver!
I love the combo of your bread, especially the cheddar cheese!
I love pears. I love cheese. I love this cake. I love you.
Drool.
Yum – this sounds dleicious Lorraine! Not sure that I’d like to eat a mouldy old slice of royal wedding cake though – ewwww.
OOO..I can imagine the lovely taste already!! Yum Yum!
This sound so so interesting (and something I could even get my partner to try).
Looks wonderful! There’s something so appealing about the combination of cheese with apples/pears, in fact I was just bookmarking an apple cheddar scone recipe the other day. What a great story about the Moyra Smith
Thank you for sharing that Charles & Diana wedding cake story! I enjoyed reading the article (I’m uh… a closet royal family fan!).
Oh and the cake sounds interestingly delicious! A very good combo – cheese and pears!
What an interesting combination, never would have thought to try that combo, but it sounds quite nice.
Looks wonderful.
Haha .. I remember that Seinfeld episode.
Growing up, we had banana cake similar to this with grated cheddar cheese either mixed into the batter or sprinkled on top right when the cake came out of the oven (so it turned gooey). I’ve always loved that sweet-savory combo. I am certain this will be delicious. After all, fruits and cheese are made for one another.
Little moist droplets of pear sounds lovely! It’s a great idea that the National Trust serves historic food at their restaurants. I’ll have to have a better look at their recipe site.
The combination of cheddar and pear sounds so delicious! There’s something about it that evokes Old England and ploughmen and rustic country ladies (which I’m sure you’re not!).
Must say I’ve never thought of such an interesting combo! I was thinking the other day I wanted to make something with cheese! What perfect timing..now if only I wasn’t at work right now!!:)
Pears and cheese you say! Mmm, we trust this is a good combo. The loaf looks great.
pear and cheddar sounds like it would go really well together…and it looks so light and moist too…
That sounds and looks sooo delicious, pear or apple!
EEWWWWWW 27 year old slice of cake 0_o… I’d probably still eat it haha. Mmm cheddar and pear sound like a royal pair for cakey
what an interesting cake recipe. I bet its delicious. I didn’t know that cake can be auctioned too. Really interesting
What a lovely cake, Lorraine!
I love the combination of pears & cheddar: indeed, it is very English like!! I want 1 or 2 slices right now, please,…..????
Most of the pears here in the Philippines are either Japanese or Korean ones – better for eating as they’re too watery for cooking. But I can imagine how good your cake must have tasted! Pears and cheddar – YUM!
wonderful seinfeld reference–that’s a great episode. but then, aren’t they all great?
terrific cake, too. it’s taken me awhile to get behind the fruit-cheese combination, but i’m finally there.
I am so going to try this recipe, it reminds me of the Yorkshire habit (from the James Herriot vet novels not actual experience!) of serving a large chunk of cheddar with apple pie, the combo works beautifully. I wonder if making it half pear, half apple would work?
Oh, how I miss cheese
Yum, cheese in a loaf is a fabulous, fabulous ingredient. Loving the blog, Lorraine. Kudos
Great idea. I love eating cheese and apple together so in cake form, would could be better. I like the idea of something a bit more savoury. Delicious!
I’m somewhat at a loss to get my head around what this cake would taste like. Cheesy bread I know. Same too with fruit loaves. However both together…? For instance, is this a savoury or a sweet cake?
Was wondering, how could a slice of cake last for these years? Or it is just a comedy thing?
About Moyra, I think she only kept the fondant, not the cake, rite?
We love both pear and cheddar so much and how wonderful to combine these ingredients in a cake! I can’t wait to try this recipe!
The bread sounds really elegant despite its humble looks. This reminds me, haven’t made quick breads in a while.
A cheese plate cake! Mmmm, pears and cheddar! Not only are you talented in so many areas, but your creativity is awe inspiring. Another ‘Not quite Nigella’ bookmark for me!
BTW, loved the reference to the Seinfeld episode – probably my fav sitcom ever!
Love the sound of this cake. It looks like my kind of thing, and I’ve been intrigued about it ever since it featured on your cheesecake cheeseplate!
I miss Seinfeld. Do not think I have ever seen that episode but the one I was thinking about yesterday was festivus.
I hear cheese and I am instantly won over so sold.
Nicely done!
A sweet cake with cheese sounds great – in fact I am already wondering if I could make a loaf with some honey and cinnamon yoghurt I bought this morning.
I love historic recipes but have never heard of cakes being auctioned – how bizarre and how wonderful that cakes cake last so long! But what self discipline to keep them – I would be like elaine and just have to have a taste!
What an interesting combo! Sounds perfect!
Such an interesting combination! I will defintely have to keep this recipe in my books for when i feel a need for change.
Hi Rosa-Thanks! It was great!
Hi Jenn-Haha me too! I’m addicted and I never get tired of it
Oh yes when Peterman sees her dancing on the monitor!
Hi Blond Duck-Awww shucks thankyou!
Hi Cakelaw -Hehe I don’t think I would either!
Hi Dorcas-Hehe thanks! It was so good
Hi Feasting on Art-Definitely! I bet that they’d love it
Hi Steph-there is isn’t there. I kind of suspected that it would work and it smells great coming out of the oven too. Yes I loved hearing that too!
Hi Trisha-You’re welcome! It’s a great tale isn’t it!
Haha me too, I used to be obsessed with Princess Diana when I was little (I even had a scrapbook 
)
Hi Anita-Yes it’s not a common combo but it works!
Hi Bethie-Thankyou!
Hi Leela-Ahh interesting! I can see that it would work too! They are definitely made for each other!
Hi Arwen-I know, I’d love to try more and it seems very fitting of them to do so!
Hi Belle-Yes it’s very Ploughman’s lunch isn’t it! Haha yes I’m not really a rustic country lady at all
Hi Carolyn-I’d love to know what you think of it if you make it!
Hi The Duo Dishes-Thankyou so much!
Hi Alexandra -Yes it’s so moist, it’s amazing!
Hi anna-Yep or both if you wanted!
Hi FFichiban-Haha you would?
Yes they’re perfect bakefellows!
Hi snookydoodle-I didn’t realised that until Seinfeld. I guess Seinfeld is really an education on life
Hi Sophie -Thankyou so much! Of course! I’d love to send you some
Hi Midge-Ahh really! Well if you can find apples they’ll do well too
Thankyou!
Hi grace -It is isn’t it! Although IMHO there isn’t a bad Seinfeld episode
I admit I was always there, fork ready 
Hi Moya-Fantastic! Ahh really? I must look that up
I bet it would!
Hi Angela-Awww I wish I could send you some!
Hi Kathryn-Thanks on both counts!
Hi Julia-Yes they meld together so naturally
Hi Simon-Don’t think too much about it-just eat!
It’s sweet most definitely.
Hi Lilia-I think those fruit cakes can last for years. No she kept the whole cake I think!
Hi 5 Star Foodie-Yes it’s for cheese plate lovers!
Wonderful!
Hi Jude-THanks! Yes it doesn’t look like anything muych but it tastes great
Hi Lisa-Aww thanks! But thanks to the National Trust for sharing their recipes!
Hehe mine too! I can’t get sick of it 
Hi Y-I almost forgot about publishing it until I realised a few people were waiting for it!
Hi Jeff-It’s a goody (although I think they’re all good
). I love the Festivus one too! George’s parents are painfully brilliant characters. Thankyou! 
Hi Johanna-Sounds like a great idea, definitely do it!
I think only certain kinds do like fruit cakes. I think sponges would just disintegrate as they’re so light. Although I didn’t realise they could last that long myself! I know what you mean. I’d be so tempted to slice a bit off 
Hi pigpigscorner-Thanks, it was great!
Hi Artemis-Thanks! Yup if you ever want to make a nice breakfast loaf or are sick of banana bread, this is great
Another thing they do in the UK – not sure if it’s just a NOrthern thing though – is to eat fruit cake with a slice of cheddar – delish with the sweet and savoury together. This recipe is a winner too
Hi Chris-I’ve never tried that but I’m totally intrigued by the idea. The next fruit I get, that’s exactly what I’m going to do!
Just popped over here from the Season Savvy challenge on pears this week at Frills in the Hills. I love the idea of combining the pear with cheese in this cake. My Mum is from Yorkshire and she always has a slice of cheese with fruit cake and this habit has been passed to me too so this cake really appeals. Thanks for digging it up from your archives for the challenge
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