Parkin (Ginger Cake)

Ingredients 

1½ cups steel cut oats (pulsed in food processor) 

¾ cup all purpose/plain flour 

1½ tsp baking powder 

2 tsp ginger powder 

1 tsp all spice 

¼ tsp nutmeg 

¼ tsp salt 

¼ cup golden syrup or corn syrup 

⅔ cup black treacle or molasses 

¾ cup brown sugar 

½ cup butter 

¼ cup crystallized ginger, finely chopped 

1 egg, lightly beaten 

2 Tbsp milk 

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Grease an 8” x 8” baking tin. 
2. Measure out the steel cut oats and put through a food processor to break down. The oats should not be a flour and some chunks should remain. 
3. Add all the dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl and combine: flour, oats, ginger, nutmeg, all spice, salt, and baking powder. 
4. In a small saucepan add in butter, brown sugar, black treacle/molasses, golden syrup/corn syrup. Stir until the butter and sugar have melted, making sure not to boil. Then remove from the heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes. 
5. Pour the warm sugar mixture into the dry ingredients, and stir until combined. Then stir in the crystallized ginger pieces, the egg, and milk. 
6. Pour the batter into the baking tin and bake in the oven for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Use a toothpick to check if it is fully baked - it is ready if it comes out clean. Allow the Parkin to cool in the baking tin for a few minutes. 
7. Then turn it face down onto a cutting board, slide the baking tin out, and remove the parchment paper. 
8. Allow the parkin to cool for 10-15 minutes before cutting into equal sized squares. Store in an airtight container and ALLOW IT TO REST FOR 2-3 DAYS. It takes this time for the flavor and sticky texture to fully develop...it WILL be worth the wait so be patient!

Recipe from Susu's Cookbook