Description
Warm Northern English tradition comes alive with this classic Parkin recipe, celebrating Yorkshire’s beloved spiced gingerbread. Rich molasses and oats blend into a deeply comforting cake that connects generations of home bakers with simple, hearty flavors you’ll cherish.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 200 grams (7 ounces) self-rising flour
- 110 grams (4 ounces) medium oatmeal
- 220 grams (8 ounces) unsalted butter
- 2 large eggs
Sweeteners and Syrups:
- 200 grams (7 ounces) golden syrup
- 110 grams (4 ounces) soft dark brown sugar
- 55 grams (2 ounces) black treacle
Spices and Leavening:
- 4 teaspoons ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon mixed spice
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons milk (if needed)
Instructions
- Prepare a greased 8-inch square baking tin and heat the oven to 140°C.
- Create a rich base by slowly melting butter, golden syrup, sugar, and treacle in a saucepan until smooth and glossy.
- Sift together dry ingredients including flour, rolled oats, warming spices, and baking powder in a large mixing bowl.
- Gradually pour the warm liquid mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring continuously to create a uniform batter.
- Incorporate eggs one at a time, blending thoroughly after each addition to ensure a silky texture.
- If the batter appears too thick, carefully introduce a small amount of milk to achieve the ideal consistency.
- Transfer the mixture into the prepared tin, spreading evenly with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 90 minutes, watching for a rich golden-brown color and firm texture.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool completely in the tin.
- Wrap the parkin tightly and store at room temperature for three days to develop deeper, more complex flavors before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Enhance the ginger flavor by adding fresh grated ginger alongside ground spices for a more vibrant, warm taste profile.
- Customize texture by adjusting oatmeal quantity; less oatmeal creates a softer cake, while more provides a denser, heartier crumb.
- Ensure even baking by using a light-colored metal pan, which helps prevent over-browning of the delicate parkin edges.
- Make the cake gluten-free by substituting regular flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend and ensuring all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 90 mins
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 383
- Sugar: 34g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 55mg