Name: Jennifer Ransom (Baltzer)
\nClass Year: 1965
\nCountry of Residence: England<\/p>\n
I never tire of visiting the plethora of historic Cathedrals, Churches and Chapels in the United Kingdom. Their spires and towers welcome you from afar, while their exterior and interior architecture, art, craft and furnishings provide a rich, text-book learning experience. Often, during summer months or on national holidays, worthy parishioners of these edifices, run a caf\u00e9 within the main building or in a nearby Parish Hall, or in a sunny summer churchyard marquee. The cakes, buns, muffins, scones, cookies, bars, tray-bakes etc are delicious, often \u2018regional\u2019 and usually sourced from a proud local family\u2019s treasured cook book.<\/p>\n
On a trip \u2018up north\u2019 in autumn 2016, I sought out the magnificent Ripon Cathedral in Yorkshire for a long afternoon\u2019s visit. Founded in 672 AD by Saint Wilfrid, it predates England itself by 255 years! From Anglo-Saxon beginnings, it has been added to over the centuries, so – like many cathedrals – boasts everything from the sombre oldest crypt in the UK, to magnificent medieval carved wooden angels in the high nave ceiling, to a 20thC pulpit with both Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau influences. (Too much to describe here, so please \u2018google it\u2019 for more.)<\/p>\n
After several hours\u2019 self-guided tour from crypt, to nave and side chapels, through cathedral library, treasury and museum, I was flagging and much in need of a cup of tea and a sweet treat. In the caf\u00e9, I fell upon the home-baked, locally-inspired \u201cParkin\u201d, so delicious that I begged the recipe from the home-baker who kindly gave me her family version. She cautioned that, \u201cParkin should NOT be confused with a ginger cake nor gingerbread recipe. True Yorkshire Parkin contains oatmeal and treacle – any cake without it, is simply a charlatan bit of gingerbread!\u201d<\/p>\n
In Yorkshire (and Lancashire, but let\u2019s not get into the Wars of the Roses!) Parkin is associated with, and eaten around Hallowe\u2019en and \u201cThe 5th of November\u201d or Bonfire Night, aka \u2018Guy Fawkes\u2019. (Google again for info) It would warm you on a cold night!<\/p>\n
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Makes 16 squares or 25 cubes. Takes 20 minutes to prepare. <\/em> Ingredients:<\/span><\/p>\n Instructions:<\/span><\/p>\n Source:<\/span> Notes taken from a lovely Yorkshire woman (see Backstory above)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Name: Jennifer Ransom (Baltzer) Class Year: 1965 Country of Residence: England Why is this recipe great? What\u2019s its backstory? I never tire of visiting the plethora of historic Cathedrals, Churches … Continue reading Old-Fashioned Yorkshire Parkin<\/span>
\nAbout 1 hour to bake + 2 days\u2019 resting to increase yummy gooeyness<\/em><\/p>\n\n
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