Traditional Parkin Food

PARKIN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Butter a deep 22cm square cake tin and line with baking parchment. Beat the egg and milk together with a fork.
• Gently melt the syrup, treacle, sugar and butter together in a large pan until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat. Mix together the oatmeal, flour and ginger and stir into the syrup mixture, followed by the egg and milk.
• Pour the mixture into the tin and bake for 50 mins - 1 hr until the cake feels firm and a little crusty on top. Cool in the tin then wrap in more parchment and foil. Keep for up to five days before eating if you can - it'll become softer and stickier the longer you leave it, up to two weeks.

YORKSHIRE PARKIN

Steps:

• Generously grease an 8x8 inch baking pan and line the bottom with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• Place the medium oatmeal in a large bowl along with the flour, spices, salt and baking powder.
• In a medium saucepan add the brown sugar, black treacle, golden syrup, butter and lard (if using). Heat the mixture until the sugar is melted (don't boil it) and remove from the heat. Let it cool for 5 minutes.
• Pour the hot mixture into the dry mixture and stir well to combine. Add the candied ginger, egg and milk and stir well to combine. The batter will be liquid and sticky.
• Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake 70-80 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. The cake should be fairly firm but springy. Let the cake cool in the pan. Invert the cake onto a platter. Peel off the parchment paper. Cut the parkin into squares.Place the squares into an airtight container and let it sit for at least 3 days before eating. This is critical (see blog post).

TRADITIONAL PARKIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325F, and grease and line a 10in square cake tin with baking parchment. Heat the butter, treacle and honey together in a saucepan over a low heat until melted.
• Meanwhile, combine all the dry ingredients except the bicarbonate of soda in a bowl.
• Stir the bicarbonate of soda into the warm milk until it dissolves. Pour the milk over the dry ingredients and mix well, then add the melted treacle mixture and stir again to thoroughly combine.
• Pour into the prepared tin and bake for 50 minutes, or until just firm to the touch. Remove from the oven and leave to cool completely in the tin. It will sink slightly in the middle as it cools.
• Remove from the tin and place in an airtight container or wrap in foil or clingfilm.
• Store in a cool, dry place. To serve, cut into 16 squares.

THE PERFECT TRADITIONAL YORKSHIRE PARKIN

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Preheat the oven to 275 F / 140 C / Gas Mark 1. Grease an 8 x 8-inch square cake tin.
• In a large, heavy-based saucepan, melt together the butter, golden syrup, brown sugar, and treacle over a gentle heat. Do not allow the mixture to boil; you simply need to melt them together.
• In a large, spacious baking bowl, stir together the flour, oatmeal, ginger, nutmeg, mixed spice, and baking powder.
• Gradually add the melted butter mixture, stirring to coat all the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.
• Gradually beat in the eggs a few tablespoons at a time.
• Add a tablespoon of milk at a time if the mixture feels dry. You are looking for a soft cake batter. Stir well.
• Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and cook for 1 1/2 hours, until firm, set, and a dark golden brown.
• Remove the parkin from the oven and leave to cool in the tin.
• Once cool, slice and store the parkin in an airtight tin for a minimum of three days for the best flavor.
• Serve and enjoy.

PARKIN (TRADITIONAL NORTH OF ENGLAND CAKE)

Steps:

• Mix together the flour, baking powder and ginger as well as sugar if desired.
• Soak oats in milk for 1/2 hour.
• Melt margarine and add molasses and honey. Combine wet ingredients and add to dry. Pour into a 9" x 11" pan.
• Bake at 325°F for 45 minutes or until it starts to come away from the sides of the pan.