Halloween Soul Cakes

"Soul, Soul, soul cakes!
I pray thee, good missus, a soul!
One for Peter, two for Paul,
Three for Him what made us all!"

Soul cakes are an ancient tradition of Halloween. Originating in England and Ireland "Soulers" would visit houses begging for these small round cakes. Every one given was supposed to free a soul from purgatory in celebration of All Souls Day which falls the day after Halloween.

This is said by many to be, in part, the origin of the Halloween custom of trick or treating. The general mischief making associated with the Halloween festival being combined with this gentler custom.

These cakes do make an interesting addition to a Halloween celebration. However you might get surprised looks if you gave them to modern Trick or Treaters!

They would however make a novel extra for a Halloween party or meal.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 175g Butter
• 175g Sugar
• 460g Plain flour
• 75g Currants
• 3 Eggs
• Mixed spice

Cream together the butter and sugar and then beat in just the yolks from the eggs, one at a time.

Sift the flour and a pinch of mixed spice into the mixture and mix well.

Fold in the currants and mix in to form a soft dough. You may need to add a little milk if the mixture is too dry.

Divide the mixture into about 16 small cakes.

Place them on a greased baking tray allowing a good space around each one. Mark a cross on the top of each cake.

Bake at 350F / 180C for between 10 - 15 minutes

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