Tuesday Cuppa Tea, Antique Staffordshire and English Rock Cakes

Hello my dear friends and welcome to Tuesday Cuppa Tea! I am so glad you have joined me!

Today my cup and saucer is similar to some I've shared before, but a new version I found in England recently. I love antique Staffordshire white ironstone in the Chelsea, Grandmother's or Sprig patterns that were most popular in the mid Victorian period, 1850-1880s.

This particular teacup is unmarked, and is actually a rare pattern. The most usual Chelsea patterns had grapes, swags or regular flower baskets of applied blue on white patterns, many touched with an over painting of copper luster. This unusual pattern had a cornucopia flower basket, and is the only of that pattern I have seen in 30 years in the china business. I just love it! Here are examples of the more usual patterns I see:

Wonderful stuff! The pattern was made by various potters and remained popular through the 1930s. The last example seems to have been produced in the 1950s.  I just love it! The photos above are from my archives. The teacup is available at Antiques And Teacups.

On a note of caution: I just found out be accident that all of my posts, photos etc are being pirated and used on a malware site. If you see a link to anything in a search engine for something that sounds like my post, or Tuesday Cuppa Tea, make sure it come to this blog, Antiques And Teacups ONLY!  It has been reported to Blogger. I am TICKED!

Okay, now on the better things!  I made a favorite tea time treat, but dairy free of course. Have you ever had an English Rock Cake? If you have had a drop scone (as opposed to a shaped , cut or wedge scone with dried fruit of rainsins, then you probably have, and didn't know it!

Here they are on the silicone baking sheet, and here are the finished Rock Cakes. They were named that because the fruit pieces make the shape and texture ineven and so...look like a rock!

Here is the recipe. They are a family favorite and this is a family recipe, and go together quickly:

English Rock Cakes

2 1/4 cup self-rising flour  (if you don't have self rising flour, use 2 cups all purpose + 3 tsp baking powder and 1/4 tsp salt)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine (I use vegan)
1 egg
2/3 cup mixed dried fruit OR dark & golden raisins
1 tbs milk (or soy milk)

In a large bowl, cut in the margarine into the flour (or flour mixture with baking powder and salt) with a pastry cutter or 2 knives until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the sugar and dried fruit or raisins. Beat the egg and milk and stir into the flour mixture to make a stiff dough. Spoon the mixture by round shaped heaps onto a greased baking sheet.

Bake at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes, or until golden brown and firm to the touch. Remove from the baking sheet and cool on a wire rack.
Enjoy!

So glad you could join me today! I am joining the following blogs...and lots more. I hope you can visit them. They all have such wonderful stories to tell and share!   Also...the linky is there for you to link your tea related posts. And comments are always so appreciated! Have a great week, and don't forget to have a cuppa tea with a friend!

Common Ground ~ http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com

Monday Marketplace

Terri~  http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/ 
Teacup Tuesday

Trisha~  http://sweetology101.blogspot.com/ 
Tea Party Tuesday

Sandi  ~  http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com

Teatime Tuesday

Kathy~  http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/
Victoria - A Return to Loveliness

Martha~  http://www.marthasfavorites.com/ 

Tea On Tuesday
Miss Kathy ~http://thewritersreverie.blogspot.com/

Tuesday Tea       

Michelle ~ http://www.finchrest.com/

Tea On Tuesday

Betty ~ http://teacoziecottage.blogspot.ca/

Tea Tuesday

Phyllis ~ http://www.relevanttealeaf.blogspot.com/

Tea On Tuesday

Shawn ~ http://poetryinapotoftea.blogspot.com/

Poetry In A Pot Of Tea

Bernideen’s ~ http://bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.com/

Friends Sharing Tea Wednesday

 Ivy And Elephants ~http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/

What’s It Wednesday                                           

Sandi  ~  http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com

Home On Wednesday