Parkin cake

Parkin cake is a traditional cake from Northern England, particularly associated with the county of Yorkshire. It is a moist and sticky cake made with oatmeal, ginger, treacle (molasses), and golden syrup. The cake has a distinctive dark brown color and a spicy flavor that comes from the ginger.

Parkin cake is traditionally eaten on Bonfire Night, which is celebrated on November 5th in England. The cake was originally made to celebrate the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when a group of conspirators led by Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London.

Parkin cake is still popular in Northern England today, and there are many regional variations. Some recipes include additional ingredients such as raisins or currants, and some use different types of flour or sweeteners.

Here's a recipe for Parkin cake:

Ingredients:

1. 225g medium oatmeal
2. 225g self-raising flour
3. 225g golden syrup
4. 225g black treacle (molasses)
5. 225g unsalted butter
6. 225g light brown sugar
7. 2 tsp ground ginger
8. 2 large eggs, beaten
9. 150ml milk

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 150°C/300°F and line a 20cm x 30cm baking tin with baking paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the oatmeal, flour, and ground ginger.
3. In a separate saucepan, melt the butter, golden syrup, black treacle, and brown sugar together over low heat. Once melted, pour the mixture into the dry ingredients and mix well.
4. Add the beaten eggs and milk to the mixture and stir until well combined.
5. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour 30 minutes.
6. Once the cake is cooked, remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Cut into squares and serve with a cup of tea.

Enjoy your homemade Parkin cake!