I'm looking forward to sharing this recipe with you!  Soul cakes are delicious fruity, spicy biscuits that were traditionally given to 'soulers' at Hallowe'en.  Although they are called cakes, they are actually a cross between a cake and a British biscuit.

We will start by putting our aprons on and briefly introducing ourselves and then finding out what the students already know about the traditions of Hallowe'en. We will look at a map and find the British Isles, and talk a few of the many traditions surrounding Hallowe'en celebrations in the UK.  For example, soul cakes were given to 'soulers', who were usually children and the poor, who went from house to house singing and offering to pray for the dead (this was called 'souling') in return for soul cakes.  

We will then make the dough for the soul cakes, roll it out, and use a cutter to shape them.  We will mark the traditional cross on the top and pop them in the oven.

While the soul cakes are cooking in the oven (and smelling tempting!) there will be time for a quiz about some of the stranger ways Hallowe'en has been celebrated in the British Isles. For example, do you know what a punkie is, or how to use nuts to tell who your future husband or wife will be?

As this is a baking class, it is essential an adult is on hand to assist where necessary as we will be using a hot oven.

If your child falls outside the age range for this class, do get in touch; it may still be possible for them to bake with us.

Please note, we are using wheat flour and eggs, so this class will not be suitable for children who are allergic to these ingredients.

As a child I used to love Hallowe'en.  We would carve lanterns out of turnips (that was hard work!) and make costumes, and then go trick or treating around our local streets.  Sometimes me and my friends would have a Hallowe'en party, with apple bobbing and soul cakes, and we would tell each other spooky stories in the dark!

Look out for other sessions in the 'Bake the British Isles' series!  I am also running the soul cake class as part of my Bake the British Isles Cooking Club, an ongoing class that includes all the bakes I have taught on Outschool  
https://outschool.com/classes/bake-the-british-isles-cooking-club-6l3gAsJy?sectionUid=63dc645d-530f-4c16-acbb-00068a555bdb&showDetails=true




Please note, we are using wheat flour and eggs, so this class will not be suitable for children who are allergic to these ingredients.