Soul Cakes: A British Halloween Treat

Soul cakes are large spiced cake-like cookies that were traditionally handed out in Britian instead of candy during the time of All Hallows Eve.

Each cookie represented a soul that had died in the past year and as the cookie was eaten, it was believed that if the soul had gone to Purgatory, it was then released. Originally, soul cakes were used as a sacrificial food in the Celtic festival of Samhain.

The cookies are typically spiced with allspice, nutmeg, cinammon, or other pumpkin pie-like spices, and include raisins or currants. The top of each cookie is marked on the top with a cross.

Eventually, it became tradition to put these little cakes out with glasses of wine on All Hallows Eve for the souls of the dead. Then, on All Saints Day (November 1st), children would go "souling," traveling from house to house calling out the following verse:

"Soul Cake, soul cake, please good missus, a soul cake.
An apple, a plum, a peach, or a cherry,
Anything good thing to make us merry.
One for Peter, one for Paul, & three for Him who made us all."

Soul Cakes Recipe

Ingredients

3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup superfine sugar
4 cups flour, sifted
3 egg yolks
1 teaspoon mixed spice
1 teaspoon allspice
3 tablespoons currants or raisins
a little milk

Directions

1. Cream the butter and sugar together until pale in colour and fluffy in texture. Beat in the egg yolks, one at a time.

2. Mix together the flour and spices. Fold into the creamed butter mix.

3. Gently stir in the currants/raisins. Add enough milk to make a soft dough.

4. Form into flat cakes and cut each top with a knife to make a cross.

5. Bake on a well-greased baking sheet at 350 F for 10 to 15 minutes until golden.

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