I'm a little ahead of myself as Parkin is traditionally served for Bonfire Night on the 5th November, but I thought I'd blog about Parkin now as it fits perfectly into the British Food Fortnight Challenge and Competition, hosted by Amanda at Food, Glorious Food. Also, I like Parkin at any time during autumn and winter and think it'd be a shame to just limit it to Bonfie Night.
Parkin is a ginger cake that comes from the North of England, and is especially associated with Yorkshire. Often it is moist and sticky, but there are also drier variations. Another great thing about it is that it keeps really well, and some people even prefer eating it after it's sat for a few days.
Yorkshire Parkin (makes 1 cake)
125 g butter or lard
125 g golden syrup
125 g black treacle
125 g sugar
250 g plain flour
250 g medium oatmeal
1 pinch salt
4 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg, beaten
Preheat oven to 150°C/Gas 2/300°F and grease an oven proof dish, approx 10x10 or equivalent.
Place the butter, golden syrup, treacle and sugar in a pan and place it over a very low heat, stirring constantly until all the sugar is dissolved.
In a bowl sift together flour, oatmeal, baking soda, salt, ginger and cinnamon.
Make a well in the centre and pour in the melted butter mixture, beat until everything is comkbined.
When combined add the egg and mix until you have a smooth soft batter.
If the batter seems to be stiff add 1tbsp of milk.
Pour into the greased oven dish and bake 50-60 minutes in the top half of your oven.
Allow to cool before removing and cut into squares.
The Parkin will last a a couple of weeks if you store it in an airtight cake tin.
22 comments:
I love parkin but haven't had it for years. Will make an effort to make this bonfire night!!
My parents are from Lincolnshire but they haven't todl me about Parkin. I have heard of Bonfire Night though:D They are headed on a holiday to Keswick in the Lake District for a month tomorrow:D
I've never heard of Parkin. I'll have to give it a try. Looks very tasty.
Never had parkin but I think I would like it. Looks great!
It's been at least 12 years since I had one of these! I am making some for sure over the weekend!
Sylvie, this looks delicious. I'll certainly have to make it for Bonfire night.
I haven't had it in years but parkin is really tasty, I'll have to try your recipe for bonfire night.
i've never heard of parkin before but it looks scrumptious!
Beth, when I first tried it it was shop bought and I didn't like it. Then I made some myself as I wanted to take some to a bonfire party and realised that it is actually pretty good.
Val, I hope your parents enjoy their trip. The Lakes are so beautiful and hopefully they'll still get some wonderful golden autumn days with beautiful sunshine.
Candy, I don't think it's known outside of England and wouldn't be surprised if some people even in the South or in Scotland have never heard of it either.
Maria, if you like spiced cakes, you'll like parkin.
Tartlette, I hope it'll bring back some nice memories.
Jules, bonfire night would just not be the same without it, would it. Oh and not to forget toffee apples!
Sam, go on make some this year, it's worth it!
Jaime, I'd be surprised if many people outside of England knew of Parkin.
Sylvie - do you know I've never tasted Parkin?! I must get sorted and try it. Looks delish. Great picture.
I love this stuff!! Great entry Sylvie, I went with a boring old scone.
You just got to love Parkin! Yours looks fabulous Sylvie!
Sylvia, jetzt warte ich aber gespannt auf den ersten Gastauftritt von Carmi! Wünsche euch viel Spaß!
LG
Hi Sylvie, some of my family hail from Yorkshire and Parkin is a big thing there. I will be baking some for Bonfire night this year. A great entry sweetie and while I’m here I'll reach in my screen and pick a slice to try ;)
Rosie x
I just discovered your blog through Sam's blog and I was enchanted by your butternut squash soup. I tested it and posted about it on my blog with a link to your recipe. It was delicious!
I have never had Yorkshire Parkin but it sounds good.
I spent some time living in the UK, but have never seen this cake. Thanks for sharing the recipe - I will have to try it!
Jan, I think you'd enjoy it.
Nic, you can never go wrong with a scone.
Marie, thanks.
Anke, we've been cooking, you'll hear about it soon! Maybe I can even get C. to write the post!
Rosie, I hope you enjoyed your slice.
Hopie, I'm so happy you enjoyed the recipe, especially as I just 'threw' it together.
Kevin, thanks.
Apples and Butter, if you lived in the South it's probably not that well known there.
Looks lovely Sylvie! Yum :P
I've only ever made Parkin once - after seeing Gary Rhodes make it on the TV.
Lovely entry for the challenge.
Is black treacle like molasses? I don't know what that is...
Holler, thanks.
Margaret, I haven't seen Gary Rhodes do any cooking on telly for ages. Whatever happened to him?
Katerina, it's different in flavour to molasses. Black treacle is a typical British product and not readily available elsewhere. You can buy it on amzon.com though for about $5.00 a can, which will last you ages.
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