Selkirk Bannock
A big round Borders fruit loaf of buttery yeast dough and sultanas, glazed and eaten sliced with butter. Just over three hours with rising.
Method
Tap a step to highlight it, or turn on Cook Mode for large type and step-by-step focus.
-
Mix the flour, yeast, salt and sugar in a large bowl, rub in the butter and add the milk. Mix to a soft dough.
-
Knead 10 minutes until smooth and elastic, then knead in the sultanas.
-
Cover and leave to rise for 1 hour, until doubled.
-
Shape into a round, flatten slightly and set on a lined tray. Cover and prove for 45 minutes, until puffy.
-
Heat the oven to 190°C / 375°F.
-
Brush the loaf with the beaten egg and bake 30 to 35 minutes, until deep golden brown and hollow-sounding underneath.
-
Brush the hot loaf with the sugar glaze and cool on a wire rack.
Chef’s Tips
- Knead the sultanas in at the end so they do not tear the dough.
- Prove it until puffy before baking. Underproved loaves are dense.
- Glaze it hot for the traditional sticky, glossy crust.
Pairing Suggestions
- Butter
- Mature cheddar
- A pot of tea
Storage & Reheating
Keep wrapped 3 days and toast slices. Freeze for 2 months.
Common questions
How long does Selkirk Bannock take to make?
About 1 hour 5 minutes of hands-on work — 30 minutes of preparation and 35 minutes of cooking — plus 1 hour 45 minutes of rising and proving the dough, so allow 2 hours 50 minutes from start to finish. The recipe serves 10.
What are the key tips for making Selkirk Bannock?
Knead the sultanas in at the end so they do not tear the dough. Prove it until puffy before baking. Underproved loaves are dense. Glaze it hot for the traditional sticky, glossy crust.
What should I serve with Selkirk Bannock?
Butter; Mature cheddar; A pot of tea.
Can Selkirk Bannock be made ahead or frozen?
Keep wrapped 3 days and toast slices. Freeze for 2 months.
Is Selkirk Bannock suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is vegetarian. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Selkirk Bannock?
About 284 kcal per serving, with 7 g protein, 46 g carbohydrate and 8 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Nutritional Highlights
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
Reader Reviews
Cooked this? Leave a review
Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.