Between Hallowe’en and All Souls Night (2nd November), it was customary to make, eat and even beg at houses for soul cakes as a way of remembering the dead. These cakes taste like rich rock buns, and are good for playing Hallowe’en cake-racing games.
175g butter
175g caster sugar 3 egg yolks 400g plain flour A tsp mixed spice 75g currants A little milk to mix Heat the oven to 180 degrees C/Gas Mark 4. Grease two flat baking sheets. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolks. Then stir in the sieved flour and mixed spice, followed by the currants. Add a little milk to make a soft dough. Shape the dough into flat cakes, and mark a cross in each one. Place on the baking sheets and cook for about 10 to 15 mins until golden brown. Allow to cool on a wire rack. To play cake racing: Wrap string or ribbon around the cross on each bun, leaving one long end, which you hang on a rope or washing line, adjusting the individual bun heights to suit your children. Alternatively, two grown-ups can hold the ends of a rope at the right height, or just dangle a bun above each child’s head. The children have to eat the whole bun without using their hands. |
