Rowies are a crispy, layered pastry from Aberdeen, Scotland. The secret to them is a combination of lard and butter…and a little bit more butter.
As we are still across the pond, I am happy to bring you another Scot-approved recipe: Rowies.
Rowies are basically greasier, denser croissants. They were made famous in Aberdeen, Scotland because Aberdeen fishermen would take them out to sea and it was the only bread that wouldn’t go stale while they were gone. You can find more fun facts about rowies here. Now, they’re also called other names, like a “buttery”…but only if you’re from somewhere other than Aberdeen proper. My boss at my internship called them butteries, but he is from Stonehaven, which is right outside of Aberdeen and the home of Dunnotar Castle (one of my favorite places!).
Admittedly, I only had two rowies during my time in the ABZ. Partly because they’ll stop your heart. I had one when I first arrived via my boss, and then bought one at the end for Justin just at the Co-Op (grocery store) so that he could try one. Feeling nostalgic as we prepared for this trip, I decided to overcome my baking fear and just make them! I know there are a lot of steps. But it isn’t actually very hard. Let me know if you need help, and I’m happy to assist.
It was very hard to find a recipe that was adapted for US measurements (I don’t use a scale for baking…yet). And I also wanted to use my standing mixer! So I made my best guesses by adjusting and combining a few different recipes I found. I was worried about their authenticity, but Duncan, (my Aberdonian friend who is currently in town getting his MBA) literally ran to my house to get one and gave them a thumbs up. Here is a post from Duncan’s Facebook (ignore his snark, if you would):
Note that his butter is on the bottom. If you choose to finish your rowie with more butter (suggested), it traditionally goes on the bottom. Because it’s flat. And good for buttering. In proper Scottish fashion though, if you put it on the top, you’re not a groundbreaking trend-setter: You’re just wrong. Kind of like those people that put their milk in the tea before adding the water and teabag.
Local Spotlight: Cars & Cows Farm (Again! Yes! He is good to me!) Heritage Hog Pork Fat
My first job was to locate some quality lard that would be suitable for baking (and not taste bacon-y). I asked Farmer Chris if he had any lard…He told me to come by. When I arrived, I realized I was getting way more than I bargained for – about 5 lbs of heritage hog pork fat was sitting in the car seat next to me and I just stared at it for a long time…I was going to have to render my own lard (eek!)! I took photos, so I’ll do a tutorial/recipe someday, but it was fairly simple – I used a crock pot! Anyway, it hardened up into this gorgeous white fluffy grease that was perfect for mixing with butter and making everyone’s heart hurt. But anyway…If you need some, I’ve heard he’s got a freezer full!
I sincerely hope you get to have these at least once in your lifetime. They’re worth every second it sucks from your longevity! Bake 12. Eat one. Give 11 to your 11 favorite people. #enJOY.
xxHillary
Rowies
Ingredients
- 1 packet quick rising yeast
- 2 t. sugar
- 1 1/4 C. hot water if not proofing ~120 degrees Fahrenheit
- 3 1/2 C. flour
- 1 t. sea salt
- 1.5 sticks of butter 6 oz
- 1/2 C. lard 4 oz (local and homemade!)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- Stir salt and flour together to break up large clumps in a mixing bowl.
- Proof yeast (not supposedly necessary with quick rise but I did it anyway) with 2 t. sugar and 1/4 water between 110-115 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Combine the foamy yeast with the dry ingredients with a dough hook attachment.
- Add in remaining water and mix on low until it forms a nice smooth dough. Let the hook knead it for a few minutes.
- Place the dough ball in a bowl and cover with a damp cloth to let it rise to double its original size. (About a half hour to an hour)
- While dough is rising, cream together lard and butter together.
- When the rise has completed, knead the dough for an additional two minutes.
- Roll it out onto a well-floured surface into a large rectangle (about 10in x 13in)
- Spread 1/3 of the butter and lard mixture over the left 2/3 of the rectangle.
- Fold the unbuttered dough over towards the center, and fold the other third over it.
- Pick up and turn the rectangle sideways, so that the open edges are on the left and right.
- Roll out the new rolled rectangle into a large rectangle of the same size as the last and repeat the buttering and folding process two more times. (Creating layers)
- Cut rectangle into squares (8-10, depending on size of rectangle)
- Fold each corner into the center of the pastry, and flatten out into a rough, dimpled circle.
- Place each pastry on a floured cookie sheet.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the edges are golden brown.
- Served best with butter spread on the bottom.
- #enJOY!
Wow, I’ve never heard of these but they look terrific! I mean, anything with lard and butter, right? Plus more butter….ahahaha the Scots do it right! I don’t think I’ll be rendering my own lard any time soon (props to you!) but I’ll have to get some from the store and make these soon!
Let me know what you think! They’re a fatty croissant – how can you go wrong!?
Good idea to tie the post to your current travels. Be safe!
Thanks, Chris! We had a blast. Good to be home though!
Please make me one of your 11 people! xoxoxo
CAN DO!
These look soooo good! I’ve never had/made these before, but they are definitely something I would LOVE! Butter in ’em? YES PLEASE 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Dawn! Butter inside and butter on top – can’t really go wrong there. 🙂
Being a born and bread Aberdonian the only way I ate a Rowie was sweet, either lashings of Golden Syrup or homemade Strawberry Jam (on the bottom) as there is already enough butter in them and they have to be hot when eaten (weĺl that’s my choice) 😁😂
Golden syrup sounds like an amazing way to eat them! 😂
How about you just bring me the lard you already rendered.. then I’ll do the rest. Haha. These sound delicious.. I’m not sure I can bring myself to butter the bottom. It Seems topsy turvy. 😛
These would be so yummy with my morning coffee!!
Can do! I’ve got some in the freezer!!
Omg I love these and I’m Scottish. Very addictive. I used to put them in the toaster then spread some butter on…how bad was i
Wil try this recipe out. Thanks
Never tried the toaster…what a good idea!
I had never heard of these. I ran across the recipe while searching for a recipe for puff pastry made from lard. I decided to try it due to having Scots ancestry (not to mention, well, lard!). These are excellent!
I’m glad you liked them!! 💕💕
Instead of folding the finished dough into the centre, press it down with you fingers and leave indentations on the topside of the dough as it was traditionally done. They should be around 5 to 10 millimetres thick when cooked. If you add slightly more salt they come out crispy or as we say in Aiberdeen weel dun.
Yes! Thank you for the tips!
As a Londoner who has Aberdonian inlaws i love Rowies and tomorrow i am going to attempt to make some I have just started makiing bread which was a great success, my daughter is 6 months pregnant and is craving rowies so wish me luck.
I am from the North East of Scotland and these are pretty damn authentic. Now living in Texas, I was so happy to make a taste from home. After my first batch I made a couple of adjustments over my first attempt which improved the taste, texture and shape. Firstly, make sure to use salted butter. Good Rowies have a slight salty taste (probably a legacy of their fishing boat heritage). Secondly, refrigerate the dough for 20 minutes after each time you spread the butter/lard and fold the dough. This makes rolling the dough way easier and stops the butter “leaking” out everywhere during rolling. I also found it made the Rowie easier to shape before they went in the oven. Yes, It will add to the preparation time but it is well worth it IMHO.
Thank you so much for your feedback! I’m glad they were a good taste of home. 🙂