Warm Spiced Parkin Recipe: A Sweet Slice of Autumn Comfort

Northern England’s beloved parkin recipe brings warmth to chilly autumn afternoons with its rich, molasses-infused charm.

Hearty bakes like this carry generations of comfort through simple, rustic ingredients.

Soft spices dance across your palate, creating memories of cozy kitchens and grandmother’s careful mixing.

Dark, sticky treacle blends seamlessly with robust ground ginger, creating a deeply satisfying treat.

Dense cake layers promise a delightful experience that connects you to traditional british baking heritage.

Lancashire and yorkshire bakeries have perfected this classic sweet, making each slice a celebration of regional culinary craftsmanship.

You’ll want to slice into this moist, aromatic delight and savor every meaningful bite.

Why Hairy Bikers Parkin Is A Cozy Treat

• Savor Traditional Flavor: Experience a classic British treat that brings nostalgic comfort with its rich, spicy gingerbread-like taste and deep molasses undertones.
• Master Simple Baking: Create an impressive cake with minimal baking skills, using basic ingredients and straightforward mixing techniques that guarantee success for beginners.
• Enhance with Aging: Discover the magic of letting this cake rest, where flavors intensify and texture becomes wonderfully moist and more complex over several days, making it a perfect make-ahead dessert.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Perfect for autumn gatherings, cozy family events, and holiday celebrations, this parkin offers a warm, inviting flavor that connects people through shared culinary tradition.

Hairy Bikers Parkin Ingredient List

• Butter: A rich, creamy ingredient that adds moisture and flavor to the parkin.
• Golden Syrup: A sweet, thick syrup that provides a deep caramel-like sweetness and helps create a moist texture.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with the cake's structure and browning.
• Treacle: A dark, intense syrup that gives the parkin its characteristic deep color and rich flavor.

• Flour: The main structural component that provides the cake's base and helps bind the ingredients together.
• Ginger: A warm, spicy ingredient that gives parkin its traditional and distinctive flavor.
• Oatmeal: Adds a unique texture and traditional northern English character to the cake.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and creates a lighter, softer texture.

• Eggs: Act as a binding agent and provide structure to the cake.
• Milk: Helps adjust the batter's consistency and adds moisture if needed.

How To Make Hairy Bikers Parkin

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Preheat your oven to a gentle 140°C (275°F). Prepare an 8-inch square baking tin by lightly greasing its surface to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create a Silky Syrup Base

• Butter
• Golden syrup
• Sugar
• Black treacle

Stir carefully and keep the heat low to prevent boiling. The mixture should become smooth and glossy.

Step 3: Blend Dry Ingredients

In a separate mixing bowl, combine your dry ingredients thoroughly. This creates a perfect foundation for your parkin.

Step 4: Marry Wet and Dry Ingredients

Pour the warm syrup mixture into the dry ingredients. Introduce eggs gradually, mixing slowly to create a uniform batter. Stir until everything is perfectly incorporated.

Step 5: Adjust Batter Consistency

If the batter feels too thick, add a splash of milk. Mix well to achieve a smooth, pourable texture.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Transfer the batter into the prepared baking tin. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 1½ hours. The parkin should develop a rich, deep color and firm texture.

Step 7: Rest and Develop Flavor

Once baked, allow the parkin to cool completely in the tin. Traditionally, wrap the cake and let it rest for 2-3 days. This waiting period allows the flavors to deepen and the texture to become wonderfully moist and rich.

Top Tips For Hairy Bikers Parkin

• Melt Ingredients Slowly: Use low heat when combining butter, syrup, sugar, and treacle to prevent burning and ensure smooth blending.
• Check Batter Consistency: Add milk sparingly if mixture seems too thick, ensuring a perfect moist texture for the parkin.
• Rest and Mature Cake: Allow parkin to sit wrapped for 2-3 days before serving to develop deeper, richer flavors and softer texture.
• Prevent Sticking: Grease the baking tin thoroughly and consider lining with parchment paper for easy removal.
• Temperature Matters: Bake at low temperature (140C) to prevent burning and maintain the cake's delicate moisture and soft crumb.

Recipe Tweaks For Hairy Bikers Parkin

• Gluten-Free Parkin: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free flour blend, ensuring same texture and moistness.
• Vegan Parkin: Substitute butter with coconut oil, use plant-based milk, replace eggs with flax eggs or applesauce.
• Low-Sugar Parkin: Use alternative sweeteners like stevia or reduce overall sugar content, maintaining traditional spice profile.
• Nutty Parkin: Add chopped walnuts or pecans to batter for extra crunch and depth of flavor.

What Pairs Well With Hairy Bikers Parkin

• Pair with Hot Mulled Cider: Warm, spiced cider complements the rich, molasses-like flavor of parkin, creating a cozy autumn drinking experience that enhances the cake's deep, treacly notes.
• Serve alongside Vanilla Ice Cream: Creamy, cold vanilla ice cream provides a delightful contrast to the dense, warm spiciness of the parkin, balancing its robust ginger and treacle characteristics.
• Match with Strong English Breakfast Tea: A robust, full-bodied tea cuts through the cake's sweetness and brings out its warming spices, creating a quintessential British teatime moment that celebrates traditional flavors.

Storing Hairy Bikers Parkin Made Easy

• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, keeping parkin fresh for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
• Store in sealed container at cool room temperature for 2-3 days, maintaining soft texture and rich flavor.
• Slice parkin, wrap individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag. Freeze up to 3 months for later enjoyment.
• Warm gently in microwave for 10-15 seconds or let sit at room temperature for soft, moist slice without losing delicate spice notes.

Questions On Hairy Bikers Parkin

• What is Parkin?

A traditional northern English cake made with oats, molasses, and warming spices, originating from Yorkshire and Lancashire regions.

• Why does the recipe suggest waiting 2-3 days before eating?

Parkin develops a softer, more moist texture and deeper flavor when left to rest, allowing ingredients to meld and soften.

• Can I substitute any ingredients in this recipe?

Use dark brown sugar instead of treacle if needed, and replace some flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier taste. Ensure you maintain similar moisture levels.

• Is Parkin suitable for people with dietary restrictions?

Standard recipe contains gluten and eggs. To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free flour blend and check other ingredient compatibility.

Parkin Recipe

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4.8 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 27 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Hearty northern England’s classic Parkin delights with its rich molasses and warming spices, creating a comforting autumn treat. Sweet ginger cake embraces traditional Yorkshire baking, promising a delectable slice you’ll savor slowly.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 200 g self-rising flour
• 110 g medium oatmeal
• 220 g unsalted butter
• 200 g golden syrup
• 110 g dark brown sugar

Spices:

• 4 teaspoons ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon mixed spice
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

Additional Ingredients:

• 55 g black treacle
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons milk (if needed)

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Instructions

1. Prepare oven at 140°C (275°F) and lightly grease an 8-inch square baking pan with butter or non-stick spray.
2. In a saucepan, gently melt butter, golden syrup, sugar, and treacle over low heat, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Remove from heat before mixture reaches boiling point.
3. In a separate large mixing bowl, combine flour, ground ginger, baking powder, and mixed spices, creating a uniform dry mixture.
4. Gradually pour the warm syrup mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring continuously to create a smooth, cohesive batter.
5. Incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to ensure even distribution.
6. If the batter appears too thick, carefully add milk to achieve a slightly runny consistency, stirring until well blended.
7. Transfer the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading evenly with a spatula.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 1½ hours, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Allow the parkin to cool completely within the baking tin, which helps it retain moisture and develop a rich, dense texture.
10. Once cooled, wrap the parkin tightly in parchment paper and store in an airtight container for 2-3 days to enhance its flavor and softness before serving.

Notes

• Adjust oven temperature if your baking tin is darker, as darker tins absorb more heat and might cause faster browning.
• Use fresh ground ginger for a more intense, zesty flavor profile that elevates the traditional parkin taste.
• Allow the cake to rest and mature for at least 2-3 days to develop deeper, richer molasses notes and achieve a softer, more moist texture.
• For gluten-free adaptation, replace wheat flour with a good quality gluten-free flour blend and add 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum to improve texture and binding.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 369 kcal
• Sugar: 33 g
• Sodium: 187 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 46 g
• Fiber: 2.5 g
• Protein: 4.5 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg