Proud of Doncaster

Every area has its own special attractions which have come about for all sorts of reasons. Doncaster is famous for its fantastic award winning Market where you can get fabulous meat, fish, fruit and vegetables and of course the famous Doncaster Royal Butterscotch.  

Butterscotch is credited with being invented in Doncaster in the 19th century by grocer and tea dealer, Samuel Parkinson who had a shop in the High Street, near to the famous Mansion House which is now The Georgian Tea Room. Doncaster. Butterscotch was by appointment to the Royal Household. It’s a real Doncaster gem. 

I’ve crafted various recipes from Grandma’s collection to celebrate Butterscotch.

Butterscotch Tarte

Shortcrust pastry

4 oz(110g) butter

8 oz (225g) plain flour

Salt

1 egg

A little water (or a little milk and water)

Rub the butter into the flour and salt. When the mixture is like breadcrumbs, make a well and add the egg. Add the water to make a dough. Let it stand for ½ hour in a cool place before rolling out. Roll out the pastry and line a 9 inch flan dish with the pastry.   Line the pastry with baking paper and cover this with dried beans or peas.  Bake the flan for 20 minutes and then remove the paper. This is called ‘Baking it blind’.  Keep the beans or peas to reuse. Allow to cool. Prepare the filling.

Butterscotch Filling 

7 oz (200g) butter

7 oz (200g) demerara sugar

4 oz (110g) flour (or cornflour)

8 fl oz (250ml) milk

Butterscotch chips

Melt the butter and sugar in a pan (preferably non stick) and stir over a low heat for 5 minutes until the sugar has dissolved. Stir in the flour a little at a time, adding the milk alternately. Stir well, using a non stick whisk if available. Allow to cool slightly. Pour into the flan dish and leave to set a little. Sprinkle the butterscotch chips over the top.

Meryl says : I’ve discovered that there’s a suburb in Melbourne, Australia called Doncaster. It’s locally known as ‘Donny’ and is situated on the top of a hill called Doncaster Hill.  I'm wondering if they have Butterscotch? Perhaps if you are reading this, you’ll let me know…