For sweet cakes it is traditional to use a fluted cutter, but you may find a plain cutter easier for these as it will cut through the fruit in the dough more easily.
Makes about 18 cakes
Cookware needed: a griddle or frying pan
350g (12oz) self-raising flour
2 level tsp baking powder
175g (6oz) butter
115g (4½oz) caster sugar
100g (4oz) currants
¾ level tsp ground mixed spice
1 large egg
about 2 tbsp milk
caster sugar, for sprinkling
Step one Prepare a griddle or heavy-based frying pan by heating and lightly greasing with oil.
Step two Measure the flour and baking powder into a large bowl and rub in the butter with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add the sugar, currants and spice.
Step three Beat the egg and milk together, then add this to the mixture and mix to form a firm dough, adding a little more milk if necessary. Roll out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface to a thickness of 5mm (¼in) then cut into rounds with a 7.5cm (3in) plain round cutter.
Step four Cook the dough rounds on the hot griddle on a low heat for about 3 minutes on each side until golden brown (be careful not to cook them too fast, otherwise the centres will not be fully cooked). Cool on a wire rack then sprinkle with caster sugar. They should be eaten on the day of making, served buttered.