Traditional English Parkin Recipe

Ingredients

• 250g (2 1/2 cups) oats 250g (2 1/2 cups) oats
• 125g (1 cup) all-purpose flour 125g (1 cup) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground ginger 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 125g (1/2 cup) unsalted butter 125g (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
• 125g (1/2 cup) dark brown sugar 125g (1/2 cup) dark brown sugar
• 125g (1/2 cup) golden syrup 125g (1/2 cup) golden syrup
• 2 tbsp treacle (molasses) 2 tbsp treacle (molasses)
• 2 eggs, beaten 2 eggs, beaten

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 8g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 50g, 25g
• Protein: 5g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 0.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 160°C (325°F) and line a square baking tin with parchment paper.
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, flour, baking powder, ginger, and cinnamon.
3. 3.
   In a saucepan, melt the butter, brown sugar, golden syrup, and treacle over low heat until smooth.
4. 4.
   Pour the melted mixture into the dry ingredients and mix well.
5. 5.
   Add the beaten eggs and stir until everything is thoroughly combined.
6. 6.
   Pour the batter into the prepared baking tin and smooth the top.
7. 7.
   Bake for approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. 8.
   Remove from the oven and allow the Parkin to cool in the tin before cutting into squares or rectangles.
9. 9.
   For best results, store the Parkin in an airtight container for a day or two before serving to allow the flavors to develop.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Oats — Use rolled oats for the best texture and flavor in the Parkin.
• Golden syrup — If golden syrup is not available, you can substitute it with an equal amount of honey or corn syrup.
• Treacle (molasses) — Look for dark treacle or molasses to achieve the rich, deep flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• Allow the Parkin to rest for a day or two before serving to enhance the flavors.
• Serve the Parkin with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert.
• For an extra indulgent twist, drizzle warm toffee sauce over the Parkin before serving.
• Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to a week.
• Parkin tastes even better when enjoyed with a cup of hot tea or coffee.

Serving advice

Serve the Parkin as a dessert or a sweet treat alongside a warm beverage. It can be enjoyed on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a more decadent experience.

Presentation advice

Cut the Parkin into neat squares or rectangles and dust the top with a sprinkle of powdered sugar for an elegant touch. Serve on a dessert plate or a wooden board for a rustic presentation.