Pontefract Cakes

Pontefract Cakes, also known as Pomfret or Pomfrey Cakes, are a small, roughly circular black liquorice sweet, originally manufactured in the Yorkshire town of Pontefract. The growing of liquorice in England can be traced back to the 16th century, concentrated in the areas of Pontefract and in Godalming, Surrey. Originally, the sweets were embossed by hand with a stamp to form their traditional look. The stamp was originally a stylised image of Pontefract Castle with a raven on the top bar, which is thought to have been in use for almost 400 years. Pontefract Cakes courtesy of the Oldest Sweet Shop in the World.