Trick or Treat:::: Soul Cake Recipe

With halloween falling mid-week this year many communities in our area have selected to celebrate it on the weekend. Tonight, was the first night that you may have seen trick or treaters out in hoard. The costumed individuals travel from house to house begging for treats using the words "trick or treat" While the treat is normally some type of candy whild change, soda pops and other items have been handed out by the door greaters the trick is what you want to be aware of. Halloween "tricks" can be a threat of mischief on those property owners when no treat is given. Yards decorated in spirit of halloween is a sign that the individual is participating in the age old "trick or treat" However, to be sure look for a sign like the porch light or other signal. 

Trick or Treating has become a tradition of Halloween in the United states since the late 1920s. Those in Britain and Ireland have attended to the tradition as far back as the 16th century. In these two countries are many stories of costume wearing individuals reciting verses and treated with food and if they were not welcome they were greeted with misfortune. However, the countries of Canada, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Puerto Rico and Mexico all participate in the custom of trick or treat. 

• Where and when did it all begin??

During the middle ages in Britain and Ireland individuals would dress up "Mumming" and go door to door in costume. Performing short scenes or plays were performed as they begged for food or drink Some believe that this tradition was done on Halloween arised from the belief supernatural beings or souls of the dead roamed the earth and to help appease them trick or treating was performed. 

Celtic festivals were hosted on October 31st and November 1st as a way to mark the start of winter. The festival is thought to have some religious attachment. In this area trick or treating is believed to come from tradition of individuals impersonating the spirits or souls of the dead to receive offerings for them. Donning a costume allowed good luck to that individuals as they dressed like the old spirits of winter. 

Soul cakes were a popular way that Allhallowtide was celebration. This celebration lasted October 31st to November 2. The cakes represented the dead or was offered in exchange for praying for their souls. This act was known as souling. 

2 1/3 cups sifted plain flour

2 cups  brown sugar

3/4 cup butter

½ tsp ground cinnamon

½ tsp ground nutmeg

½ tsp allspice

1 egg

2 tsp white vinegar

2/3 cup currants

1 cup white chocolate

Large chocolate sprinkles

3 Tbsp vegetable oil

toothpicks

Preheat oven to 200 degrees Celsius Mix all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Work the butter into the flour mix until evenly distributed. Add the egg, vinegar and currants and stir with a spoon until it comes together into a mass. Shape dough into a ball, cover and chill for 30 minutes.

Lightly flour a clean, flat surface and roll the dough out thin Use a cookie cutter to make rounds and place on lined baking sheets. Use the back of a knife to press a cross into the dough.

Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden.

While the soul cakes cool, line another tray with baking paper. Heat white chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water, stirring occasionally. Once melted add oil and mix in quickly until smooth. Using a spoon spread the chocolate over the baking paper to form ghost shapes. Cut a toothpick in half and place two pieces in the chocolate at the bottom of ghost (sharp end down)

Drop in a two large chocolate sprinkles for eyes

Pop into fridge to set.

Stick finished ghosts into the cooled cookies using the toothpicks. 

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