Parkin is a filling, sticky ginger cake made with oatmeal and treacle, it is ideal for keeping out the 'parky' weather. Being a family favourite, many different recipes* have evolved for this traditional Yorkshire comfort food, but the following is very easy to make.

Ingredients

Method

  1. Line an 8" square tin with greaseproof paper
  2. Seive together the flour, baking powder and ginger into a bowl
  3. Rub in the fat
  4. Add the oatmeal and sugar
  5. Warm the syrup and treacle on a low heat (or microwave). Don't overheat
  6. Gradually stir this into the rubbed-in mixture in the bowl, also adding the egg and milk
  7. Pour into the tin and bake at 180°C/350°F, gas mark 4, for about an hour
  8. When done allow to cool in the tin for a few minutes before turning out onto a cooling tray
  9. Store for about a week to mature. Serve cut into squares or fingers

* see http://home.freeuk.net/dacha/cook/10pr-0.htm for many more recipes!