Top 4 Traditional Desserts
in Cornwall

Furniss of Cornwall is a traditional biscuit producer based in Cornwall, with origins dating back to 1886 when John Cooper Furniss opened a tea room in Truro. From the beginning, the business focused on freshly baked goods, particularly gingerbread and spiced biscuits known as Cornish Fairings, which quickly became popular across the region. Their commitment to quality ingredients and consistent baking methods allowed the brand to expand beyond local markets by the end of the 19th century. Today, Furniss remains the only licensed producer of Original Cornish Fairings, reinforcing its strong link to regional heritage and authenticity. Over time, the company has maintained its identity by preserving traditional recipes while gradually expanding its range to include shortbread, oat biscuits, and more contemporary variations. The products are characterized by simple formulations and a balanced flavor profile, especially in their ginger-based biscuits, which remain central to the portfolio. Although the company has undergone ownership changes and operational shifts, including integration into larger food groups, production continues in Cornwall, preserving the connection to its place of origin. Furniss stands as a representative example of a heritage brand that successfully combines scaled production with a distinct regional identity rooted in British baking tradition.Expand

Clotted cream ice cream is a traditional ice cream that’s associated with Cornwall, although it’s sold in supermarkets throughout the United Kingdom. This ice cream is made with Cornish whole milk, eggs, and clotted cream. The use of Cornish clotted cream gives the ice cream a unique flavor and a velvety consistency. This decadent ice cream can be flavored with various additional ingredients such as vanilla, and it can be found in many bars and cafes across the region. It is also not uncustomary to add a dollop of clotted cream on top of the scoops of Cornish ice cream.Expand

Cornish fairing is a traditional cookie originating from Cornwall. The cookies have been made for many years by a baker's firm called Furniss, founded in 1886 in Truro, and the recipe is a trade secret. The ingredients for these biscuits include sugar, flour, butter, syrup, spices such as ginger and cinnamon, and raising agents. The ingredients are formed into a dough, which is then cut with a wire futter before baking to give the cookies a rough surface. These dark brown, circular, spicy biscuits have long been associated with fairs in the South West, where they were bought and given as gifts to friends or relatives, hence the name Cornish fairing.Expand

Saffron cake is a traditional delicacy made in Devon and Cornwall, characterized by its close texture and a rich, spicy taste. The cake consists of bread dough, saffron, assorted fruit and spices, sugar, and butter. It is usually baked like bread and served sliced, with clotted cream on the side. The dish is especially popular around Easter and is traditionally consumed on Good Friday.Expand

Hevva is a cake from Cornwall consisting of spelt flour, butter, sugar, milk, lard, and raisins or currants. The name hevva is linked to the landing of a shoal of fish, and then the huer would shout “hevva, hevva“, giving a cue to the fishermen's wives to go home and start baking. Traditionally, the dough should be scored diagonally before baking, in order to resemble a fishing net. It is recommended to pair this unleavened cake with a cup of hot tea on the side.Expand