Cereally Parkin'

Recently I've discovered that in UK, especially in Yorkshire and Lancashire, there is a special spicy treat made with oatmeal and treacle that is traditionally baked in occasion of Bonfire Night 🔥, that is tomorrow, November 5.

This treat is called Parkin' and it's super delicious.

I had all the ingredients in my pantry: rolled oats, Black Treacle, Golden Syrup and spices so I decided to give it a try.

What's it like? Well, it kinda reminded me of gingerbread cake but it' s more spicy and sticky.

I loved it, and if you love these flavours too you should give it a try, the recipe is below this picture :)

INGREDIENTS:

• 50g Butter

• 50g Brown sugar

• 50g Black treacle/Molasses*

• 50g Golden syrup*

• 75g Rolled Oats**

• 75g All-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1 + 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

• 1 teaspoon mixed spice***

• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg

• 1 large egg

• 1 Tablespoon milk

• Pinch of Salt

--- TOPPINGS ---

• White chocolate

• Decorative pen

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a 20x20 cm (8x8-inch) baking pan with parchment paper so that the paper overhangs 2 opposite sides like handles.

2. In a pan on a low heat, melt together the butter, light brown sugar, black treacle and golden syrup.

3. In a large bowl mix together rolled oats, plain flour, baking powder, ground ginger, mixed spice, nutmeg and salt.

4. Pour the warm treacle mixture into the bowl and combine the ingredients.

5. In a small bowl beat the egg with the milk. Pour it slowly into the mixture and mix until well combined.

6. Pour the batter into the lined pan and bake for about 20 minutes. It must be firm on top all the way to the centre.

7. Let it cool in the pan, then lift onto a cutting board using the parchment handles.

8. Slice into 9 squares and garnish the surface with melted white chocolate and decorative pen.

9. Enjoy :)

RECIPE NOTES:

• *Black Treacle and Golden syrup are very common in UK, while very difficult to find elsewhere. I guess you could substitute them with other liquid sweeteners like honey or molasses but the taste would be very different.

• **It's very important to use rolled oats in this recipe. If you use quick oats the texture would be different.

• **Mixed spice is a British spice blend containing Cinnamon, Coriander Seed, Nutmeg, Clove, Pimento, Ginger. You can make your own if you can't find it!

• I've used a 20x20cm square pan but I think that a slightly smaller pan (like 18x18cm) would be best for this recipe. You will need to bake it for a longer time but you'll get a thicker and more enjoyable Parkin'.

• I adapted the recipe from here. According to the recipe if you put Parkin' into an airtight container and leave for 3 - 5 days you would get a stickier cake. I wouldn't know since I've eaten it right away 😂

RECIPE CARD:

If you make it let me know! :)