Downton Abbey Recipes

Downton Abbey.  If you haven’t given this show a chance, take a Saturday afternoon and watch an episode.  Or two…or even an entire season.

For those of you who aren’t yet fans, this is a delightful show full of family, betrayal, intrigue, and pure love.  It is set in 1920′s England and showcases the priviledged life of the Crawleys, which consist of the Earl of Grantham, his wife, and their three daughters. It also gives you a look downstairs into the lives of the servants who run the house of Downton Abbey.

Season 3 premiers in the U.S. on January 6th.  To celebrate, we decided to test some delicious Downton receipts.  Yes, that’s right, back then, they called recipes, receipts.

Receipt 1

First, we decided to make the infamous Apple Charlotte that wasn’t made in season 1.  A dinner guest specially requested this be made, but because she couldn’t read the receipt, Ms. Patmore made raspberry pudding with meringue instead (I intend to try this sometime this week.)

Individual Un-Moulded Apple Charlotte
Inspired by Downton Abbey Cooks

5 cups diced apples

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk

juice of one lemon

1 teaspoon cinnamon

dash of ground ginger

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 teaspoons corn starch (not pictured)

12 slices bread without crusts (gluten-free bread may be used to make this recipe gluten-free!)

4 eggs

2/4 cup milk

3 tablespoons sugar

1. In a saucepan, mix apples, brown sugar, condensed milk, lemon juice, cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, and corn starch.  Cook until tender and thickened, about 20 minutes.

2. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, and milk.

3. Using four slices of bread, cut bread with a biscuit cutter (or knife or mason jar) into a circle that will fit the bottom of a small ramekin.  Cut the rest of the bread into slices about an inch wide.  Grease ramekins.

4. Dip the circle of bread into the egg mixture and place into the ramekin.  Dip the strips of bread in to the egg mixture.  Place them vertically around the sides of the ramekin.  The strips will flop over the edge.

5. Fill each ramekin with a few spoonfuls of the apple mixture.  Fold over the extra strips of bread on top to seal it.  Sprinkle with a bit of extra sugar.

6. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 mins, or until the top is golden brown.  The darker brown one was made using gluten-free bread.

Dust with powdered sugar.  You will end up with a delicious apple filled “custard” of sorts.

Don’t they look delicious in their individual servings?  You can also make this in a regular pie pan and slice for serving.

Receipt 2

Scones are a delicious addition to any tea party.  We made two different varieties, a sweet and a savory, for you to enjoy!

Blueberry Scones with Lemon Glaze
Inspired by The Pioneer Woman

1 1/2 cups flour

1/3 cup sugar

2 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 stick frozen butter

1 egg

scant 1/2 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon vanilla

half cup blueberries (I used frozen)

zest of one lemon

3 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup milk

zest of two lemons

1. Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.  Using a fine cheese grater, grate in the stick of frozen butter.  After it is all grated in, whisk it together.  This works so much better than trying to cut the butter in.

2. Mix in the blueberries and zest from 1 lemon.

3. In a separate bowl, mix together the egg, heavy cream, and vanilla.  Stir it into the dry ingredients, gently mixing it together.

4. Using your hands or a spoon, drop large rounded spoonfuls of the dough onto a cookie sheet.  You want them to be about and inch and a half in diameter.  The use of parchment paper is recommended.

5. Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 15 minutes.  Cool on a cooling rack while you make the glaze.

6. Mix together the powdered sugar and zest from 1 lemon.  Add the vanilla.  Add milk one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency.  Use more or less depending on the thickness you desire.

7. When scones are cool, dip in glaze, or drizzle it on top.

Receipt 3

Savory Cheese and Chive Scones
Inspired by Downton Abbey Cooks

1 cup flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoon frozen grated butter

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese

3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

1. Mix together flour, baking powder, salt, butter, chives, and cheese.

2. Stir in the heavy cream.

3. Pinch off about two tablespoons of dough and mould into flat discs with your hands.  Or, pat out the dough on a floured surface and cut out rounds with a 1 1/2 inch cookie cutter.  Since I was cutter-less, I made the shape with my hands.

4. Bake at a 450 degree oven for 8-10 mins, until lightly golden brown on top.

This was my first time food blogging!  I’m not a professional like Amanda, but I had so much fun.  Celebrate the premier with us and have a delicious Downton Abbey tea party.  Check out Sandy’s free printable Downton Inspired Cup Sleeve for a fun way to enjoy tea during your favorite show!