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Prep time
5 minutes
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Cook time
1 hour
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Serves
10-12
Author Notes
This is a Fall classic from Great Britain. Parkin is a kind of gingerbread made with oatmeal (which I think is what's sold as steel-cut oats Stateside? Not the rolled oats for porridge anyway). Traditionally eaten on the 5th of November but can be enjoyed anytime this season. There are two kinds - Yorkshire, made with black treacle/molasses, and Lancashire, made with golden syrup (may be found in any store selling UK groceries). Dark corn syrup could be used but probably won't have the same flavour. I'm not sure if mixed spice is available in the States, so I've listed pumpkin pie spice as a substitute. Feel free to adjust the spices to your tastes or add more - I often add black pepper to any gingerbread.
Fantastic for autumn potlucks and bake sales. Make sure you pay attention to the final step - you really need to store it wrapped in plastic-wrap for AT LEAST 1 WEEK to fully enjoy it at its best! This is a British classic that is unheard of even in parts of the UK and I want to get more people making this. It's an iconic part of Northern English traditional culture.
Can be made vegetarian and gluten-free (just use a veggie fat and GF oatmeal and self-rising flour) too. If you can’t get self rising flour, then just add 3tsp baking powder to 8oz all-purpose flour. —Tom Ellis
Ingredients
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8 ounces
molasses (not blackstrap)
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8 ounces
dark brown sugar
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8 ounces
Butter/Shortening/Lard
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8 ounces
Steel cut oatmeal (medium)
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8 ounces
Self-rising flour (OR: all-purpose flour with 3 teaspoons baking powder added)
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2
eggs, beaten
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1 tablespoon
ground ginger
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1 teaspoon
Pumpkin pie spice
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1 teaspoon
Ground cinnamon
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1/2 teaspoon
Ground black pepper (optional)
Directions
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Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease and line a roasting tin/2 8x8 brownie pans or a disposable roasting tray. This mixture makes a lot!
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Put flour, oatmeal and spices in a bowl, whisk lightly to combine.
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Melt fat, sugar and molasses together in a pan. Don't let it boil.
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Remove this from the heat, and pour it into the dry ingredients along with the beaten eggs and mix well. Don't overmix but make sure it's combined.
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Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean.
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Cool in tin on wire rack. Now this is IMPORTANT! It will feel overbaked and hard as it cools. But this is the key - you have to store the Parkin a week at least before cutting. Trust me, it softens and mellows, becoming squidgy and deeper in flavour. It's perfect for fall as it has all the right warming flavours.
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