This is an easy to make fruit cake with just a few ingredients. It is in between a cake and a biscuit.

The recipe originates from Cornwall and the pilchard fishing communities from the 17th century. A lookout, or Huer, would shout the word “hevva” when a large shoal of pilchards was spotted near the coastline. The men would then pull in the fish in large nets from their boats. The women of the village would bake this cake when they heard hevva being shouted and the whole village would eat it after the work was complete.

The top of the cake is scored with criss cross lines to represent the fishing nets.

1. Butter the inside of a medium size baking tray and line with parchment paper.
2. Preheat the oven to 190°C.
3. In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder and salt well.
4. Rub the butter into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs. 
5. Add the fruit and sugar and mix.
6. Stir in the milk and mix to a soft, stiff dough.
7. Put the dough in the baking tray and push down well, particularly the corners.
8. Mark the top with a sharp knife to make criss cross diagonal lines.
9. Brush the top with the extra milk.
10. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.
11. While still hot brush with milk and sprinkle generously with sugar on top. Cut into slices to serve.