In 2025, our Westmorland Pepper Cake was awarded Britain’s Best Cake in the Fruit Cakes category – an achievement we’re incredibly proud of. But this cake is more than an award‑winner. It’s a slice of Cumbria’s history, and a reminder of why protecting traditional foods still matters today.
So we thought it was the perfect moment to revisit the story behind this remarkable bake.
A True Cumbrian Classic
Westmorland Pepper Cake is a historic spiced fruitcake from the ancient county of Westmorland, now part of modern Cumbria. Unlike lighter, sweeter fruit cakes, this one is deeply flavoured and unapologetically bold, with spice at its heart.
For centuries, Cumbrian baking has made use of warming spices, and Westmorland Pepper Cake is no exception. Its origins can be traced back to a time when Cumbria played an active role in international maritime trade, particularly through the ports of Whitehaven and Maryport. Spices arriving from British overseas colonies in the Caribbean, the Americas and the Far East gradually found their way into local kitchens, shaping some of the region’s most distinctive foods.
The generous use of spice in this cake isn’t accidental – it’s a reflection of Cumbria’s place in a much wider global story.
A Cake on the Ark of Taste
In 2014, our version of Westmorland Pepper Cake was granted Forgotten Food status by the Slow Food Movement, as part of their internationally recognised Ark of Taste project.
The Ark of Taste exists to highlight traditional foods that are at risk of disappearing – foods that are deeply tied to place, craft and culture, but which may vanish within a few generations if they’re not actively protected, baked and eaten.
Being included on the Ark is not about nostalgia alone. It’s about recognising the value of heritage foods and supporting producers who continue to make them using traditional methods. For us, it was a proud moment – and a responsibility we continue to take seriously.
Built on a Forgotten Recipe
Our Westmorland Pepper Cake is based on a forgotten classic recipe, brought back to life with care and respect for tradition.
At its core, you’ll find:
- Plump dried currants and raisins
- The essential addition of freshly cracked black pepper
- Rich black treacle, which gives depth and colour
- Warming spices including ground cloves and ginger
The result is a cake with a deep, complex flavour – not overly sweet, but richly spiced and made to be savoured slowly.
How to Enjoy Westmorland Pepper Cake
Traditionally, Westmorland Pepper Cake is best enjoyed simply and thoughtfully. We love it:
- Served with a crumbly Cumbrian cheese
- Paired with a creamy Yorkshire Wensleydale
- Or spread generously with good local salted butter
It’s a cake that invites conversation, best enjoyed with a cup of tea and a moment to relax.
Keeping Traditional Food Alive
At Ginger Bakers, we believe that baking traditional cakes like this is about more than preserving recipes. It’s about keeping food heritage alive, supporting the principles behind the Slow Food and Forgotten Foods movements, and ensuring these flavours are still part of everyday life – not just museum history.
Have you tried it?
How do you enjoy Westmorland Pepper Cake? Do you have your own family traditions around this historic bake?
We’d love to hear your stories.