Lardy Cake

Lardy Cake

Lardy cake, also known as lardy bread, lardy Johns, dough cake and Fourses cake is a traditional rich spiced form of bread probably originating in Wiltshire in the South West of England, which has also been popular throughout the West Country and the southern counties of England including Oxfordshire and Suffolk. However, in most south-eastern counties it is completely unknown.

The recipe originated from the Caswell family in Avebury Wiltshire where the family ran a bakery since 1829. The trade was handed down several generations to James William Caswell of Yatesbury, his brother George Henry of Calne and their sisters Alice and Mary of Avebury. The last of these businesses ceased in 1953 in Avebury.

The lardy cake recipe was always attributed to James William, who delivered these cakes to locals on his bicycle.