Wednesday, 5 November 2008

Parkin ~ Happy Bonfire Night!

"Remember, remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot
I see no reason, why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot."

It’s Guy Fawkes Night here in the UK, also known as Bonfire Night and Fireworks Night. It is an annual celebration on the evening of the 5th of November. It celebrates the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot of the 5th of November 1605 in which a number of Catholic conspirators, including Guy Fawkes, attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London, England. In the United Kingdom, celebrations take place in towns and villages across the country, they involve fireworks displays and the building of bonfires on which traditionally an effigy of Guy Fawkes is burnt. The 5th of November is a great chance to cook some good old-fashioned comfort food to keep you warm and fill you up. Parkin is a traditional Yorkshire recipe for a Bonfire Night treat. This yummy ginger cake recipe will get you fired up. I love this delicious, sticky parkin served with a mug of hot steaming Horlicks! Happy Bonfire Night!

Parkin

Serves: 8-10

Ingredients
oil, for greasing
225g self-raising flour
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 egg, lightly beaten
115g caster sugar
60g butter
115g golden syrup
225ml milk

Method
Preheat the oven to 150°C/gas 2. Grease a 25 x 18cm cake tin and line with greased greaseproof paper. Sift the flour, ginger and bicarbonate of soda into a bowl. Stir in the egg and then the caster sugar, mixing well. In a small saucepan, melt the butter and the golden syrup, stirring to mix. Remove from the heat and stir in the milk. Gradually stir the milk mixture into the flour and egg mixture. Stir until smooth, then pour into the prepared tin. Bake for about 1 hour or until the mixture starts to shrink away from the sides of the tin. Remove from the oven and turn out onto a wire rack to cool. Cut into squares and serve, preferably after about 3 to 4 days when the parkin will have become nice and sticky.

Hope your night goes off with a bang!

15 comments:

Finla said...

I have heard about this parking cake, never had them, looks good

Maria♥ said...

Happy this cake stores well and gets better with time!

Maria
x

Maria said...

The cake looks terrific! Glad it stores well, but I doubt it would last long at our house!

Anonymous said...

Looks fabulous Maria, I'd forgotten all about it being Bonfire Night.

Oh my! Apple pie! said...

Oh yes, perfect Bonfire night cake. It looksdelicious!

Sweet Treats by Dani said...

enjoy your bonfire :)

natalia said...

Ciao ! If it ever gets a bit colder I'll make it (I like your warming up description !)

Beth (jamandcream) said...

I haven't had Parkin for ages!!! Great recipe x BTW are you going to Good Food Live at NEC?? Just had email from company Miele, they are going to give me a ticket!!??

Maria♥ said...

Thanks everyone for the lovely comments!

Beth I am going to the BBC Good Food show but in London on Sunday 16th. I can't wait, this is my first time. Wow you have been offered a free ticket? Are you going to go?

Maria
x

Reeni said...

Your cake looks delicious, hope you had a great night!

Rosie said...

Your parkin looks fabulous Maria! Just great for Bonfire night :)

Rosie x

Gigi said...

The cake sounds divine. Thanks for sharing all about Bonfire night.

Nic said...

I do love parkin - great cake for bonfire night!

Anonymous said...

What a tasty recipe attached to a memorable night! I've yet to try it, but it sounds like a real treat. I'd like to include it in our blog! Please let me know if you're interested :).

Sophie, Key Ingredient Chief Blogger
sophie@keyingredient.com

Tina Butler said...

I dont know what a Parkin Cake is but it looks awesome!!! great job.