Guernsey Gâche

Guernsey Gâche (pronounced Gosh) is one of Guernsey’s definitive delicacies. It’s a special bread made with raisins, sultanas and mixed peel. In Guernésiais, gâche means cake , however it’s more like a fruit bread than a cake.

Ingredients

• 680g (1.5 lbs) wholemeal or plain flour
• 680g (1.5 lbs) Guernsey butter
• Two free range eggs
• 113g (4 oz) candied orange peel
• 454g (1 lb) sultanas (currants may be used, if preferred)
• 118ml (Quarter pint) of Guernsey milk
• 57g (2 oz) yeast
• Pinch of salt
• 57g (2 oz) dark brown sugar

Preparation

1. Wash and dry the fruit.
2. Cream the butter with sugar, add the eggs and then mix in the flour.
3. Warm the milk, add the yeast and a pinch of salt.
4. Make a depression in the dough and pour in the milk with the added yeast and mix well
5. Add the fruit and kneading like bread.
6. Leave the dough to rise for two hours somewhere warm.
7. Knock back (=knead it again and ‘knock out’ all of the air) and then knead again.
8. Grease a loaf tin and put in the prepared gâche.
9. Cook for one hour in a moderate oven, until the top golden brown.
10. Serve with Guernsey Butter (toasted or un-toasted) and a nice pot of tea

References