The Epicure's Almanac or Diary of Good Living
May 25th : NAGS HEAD CAKE
This cake, so well known and highly prized in the west of England, is made in the following manner : Boil half an ounce of saffron in a pint of water; strain it and dissolve a pound of lump sugar in it, then beat up half a dozen eggs in the sugar and water; rub half a pound of fresh butter in a pound of flour, mix this with the above materials, adding also half a pound of currants, and an ounce of mixed candied orange and lemon peel cut small. Shape it like a large bun, put it on an iron plate, and bake for two hours and a quarter.