Local Delicacies of Yorkshire & The North York Moors

21st November 2023

Yorkshire is well renowned for its beautiful countryside including the three superb National Parks; the Yorkshire Dales, the Peak District and of course the North York Moors. Food is also close to the hearts of all in Yorkshire, there are a number of wonderful local delicacies that visitors to Yorkshire can enjoy.

From wonderful fresh crab, local reared lamb, Spring asparagus, the crumbly Wensleydale cheese to the famous well loved across the UK, Yorkshire Pudding. This has become the ‘must have’ for all those who love a Sunday roast. However, there are also a number lesser well known food and drink delights that this green and pleasant land of Yorkshire offers up.

Here is a buffet of Yorkshire delicacies to check out, from ‘Fat Rascals’, ‘Moggy Cake’ to ‘Beck Hole Beer Cake’!

Got a Sweet Tooth? Let’s Head Straight to the Cake Stand!

Yorkshire Curd Tart

Go visit the local farm shops and artisan bakeries and you may well find this traditional tasty dessert of fruit and / or nutmeg flavoured curd cheese with shortcrust pastry. Go to the famous old tea room at Betty’s and sample the Yorkshire Curd Tart with a fresh brew of Yorkshire Tea or even bake your own.

Yorkshire Tea Loaf

Following the afternoon tea theme the Yorkshire Tea Loaf is made up of fruit soaked overnight in freshly brewed Yorkshire tea mixed with locally crafted cake batter. It can be served on its own or enjoyed with some creamy Wensleydale cheese.

Recipe for Yorkshire Tea Loaf – https://traditionalhomebaking.com/yorkshire-tea-loaf/

Fat Rascals

What a great name for a cake, these are a true Yorkshire classic!

They are cross between rock cakes and scones and made with dried fruit, citrus peel, and the glacé cherries and almond nuts are used to make cheeky faces on each at Betty’s Tea Rooms.  Betty’s Fat Rascals special own recipe is a must with a cup of Yorkshire Tea, no other tea will do!

https://www.bettys.co.uk/cakes/fat-rascals

Parkin

Now this an absolute sticky and fiery delight. A sticky gingerbread sponge cake mixed with oatmeal & treacle and often eaten around the annual celebration of bonfire night. Parkin can also be enjoyed all year round, spread thickly with butter and washed down with a steaming mug of Yorkshire tea.

https://wildernessengland.com/blog/food-drink-yorkshire/#parkin

Yorkshire Moggy Cake

The Yorkshire Moggy Cake is a popular ginger cake alternative to the fiery Parkin but without the oats, so a bit lighter and more like a ginger flavoured sponge cake. It can sometimes be cooked with golden syrup. Another cold winter late afternoon special for the table.

https://www.thespruceeats.com/yorkshire-moggy-cake-recipe-435963

Beck Hole Beer Cake

The pretty little village of Beck Hole near Goathland on the North York Moors is a collection of  a few cottages, a farm, a bridge over the Eller Beck river and very small pub called the Birch Hall Inn. A very old fashioned and quirky pub that serves classic real ales to walkers and the locals. The simple menu offers up locally made pork pies, large flat butties, or locally known as ‘stotties’, fresh scones, jam and cream, and the very more-ish ‘Beck Hole Beer Cake’.

https://the-yorkshireman.com/birch-hall-inn/

Now for those who Love a Savoury Dish.

The Parmo

The Parmo was reputedly the invention a Greek-American navy chef who was wounded off the coast of France during World War Two. After being carefully nursed back to good health he stayed in Yorkshire and opened up a restaurant in Middlesborough. This North Yorkshire delicacy is a breaded chicken cutlet, deep fried and then topped with a special bechamel sauce and topped with cheese, usually cheddar. The Parmo is usually served with chips and salad.

 

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Hendersons Relish

Henderson’s Relish is a spicy condiment sauce that is similar to the popular Worcestershire sauce but contains no anchovies. This vegan and gluten free variant was crafted in Sheffield over 100 years ago. Hendersons Relish own secret Yorkshire recipe is extremely versatile adding a hint of spice to sauces for meats, soups and marinades. It is made of water, sugar and spirit vinegar with a selection of spices and colouring.

https://www.hendersonsrelish.com/

 

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Now to the Famous & Well Loved Main Dish of Yorkshire!

The Yorkshire Pudding

What is Yorkshire national dish? – The Yorkshire Pudding – Wikipedia

No proper roast in Yorkshire, or anywhere for that matter, is complete without fluffy and light Yorkshire puddings. This is the golden crown adorning your Sunday roast dinner. These wonderful Yorkshire creations go back to the 1700’s when the excess hot fat that dropped into the dripping pan from the roasting meat above was used to cook a pudding mix batter.

Nowadays the best Yorkshire Pudding recipes are hotly disputed but they comprise of three main ingredients: eggs, flour, and milk batter and best served with roast beef, all the trimmings, oodles of gravy and horseradish sauce.

https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/Yorkshire-Pudding/

Full up? Let’s Stop and Have a Beer to Wash it all Down!

Helmsley Honey

A North York Moors local golden ale craft brew buzzing with sweetness from the popular Helmsley Brewing Company. Brewed with finest Maris Otter malt blended with local moorland bees honey creating a rich and golden beer that is sweet with a hint of citrusy lemon.

Another wonderfully named local brew from the Helmlsey Brewing Company is ‘Striding The Riding’ the official beer of the Cleveland Way National Trail which snakes its way through the North York Moors.

For craft beer lovers check out the Whitby Brewery which is right next to Whitby Abbey and sample the local brews such as Jet Black and Saltwick Nab with the historic abbey as a memorable backdrop.

 

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Explore Yorkshire’s Delicious Delights

Hospitable Yorkshire has so much to offer for those who love food, which is most of us. England’s largest county is rich in food heritage and has produced many tasty and innovative delicacies both savoury and sweet. When staying in this welcoming county head out, seek and explore some of these delicious foodie delights.

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