Soul Cakes Offer Comfort as Halloween Looks Set To Be Toned Down in Pandemic
Published On Tuesday 29 Sep 2020 by Sticky Beak
See Recent News Articles
A family-run bakery is bringing back yet another sweet treat from the dead - after a previously revived product proved extremely popular.
Stacey’s Bakery, which has branches in Ilkeston, Eastwood and Heanor, is launching a ‘soul cake’ in time for Halloween.
Hailed as a classic ‘comfort food’, the baked goods aim to bring a smile to everyone’s faces in difficult times, especially in the colder Autumnal months and when tightened lockdown restrictions loom.
Soul cakes are an old English traditional cake, sometimes known simply as ‘souls’.
The tradition of giving out soul cakes on All Hallows’ Eve dates back to the Middle Ages, when children went door-to-door saying prayers for the dead, and continued into the 1930s.
On All Hallows’ Eve, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, children went ‘souling’, asking for soul cakes from house to house, possibly a precursor to trick or treating.
The round cakes are filled with allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger or other sweet spices, raisins or currants, and before baking are topped with the mark of a cross to signify that these were alms, or given as a mark of charity.
The launch of the spooky snack comes four years after Stacey’s brought back ‘Thor’ cakes, which are made with oatmeal, ginger and black treacle and were traditionally baked in Derbyshire communities on November 5.
David Stacey, director of the four-generation bakers, said the Thor cakes’ success had been “incredible”, with 2,500 sold in just one week and “people had gone crazy for them”.
He added that he hoped cake lovers would be getting on board with the soul cakes.
David said: “The soul cakes are something a little bit different.
“What people normally do at Halloween is go and buy a multipack of sweets, but I wouldn’t imagine that trick or treating will be something that many people will be doing this year, given the pandemic.
“Soul cakes are maybe going to be a little something for people to enjoy throughout the week of Halloween and throughout Autumn.
“People are going to be wanting comfort food as the nights get colder and darker, and restrictions mean that we can't get together with larger groups of families and friends.
“The aromatic ingredients - like nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger - lend themselves to providing that warmth that we all crave.”
The soul cakes will be on sale from early October and available throughout Autumn.
To find out more, visit www.staceysbakery.co.uk
| Derby Wing Fest 2024 Returns To Celebrate Its 10th Anniversary The worlds largest chicken wing festival: Wing Fest, is returning to the Midlands to celebrate its 10thanniversary, whilst paying homage to one of the worlds favourite Read The Article | |
| Firm behind PizzaDog sensation to launch doughnut pizza A streetfood firm that wowed Nottingham Forest fans with a hot dog and pizza combo is set to launch a new pizza using a sweet base supplied by doughnut brand Doughnotts. Read The Article | |
| Notts bakery launches UK's first weight-loss doughnuts A Nottinghamshire bakery has today launched a new range of doughnuts so low in calories that the product is set to take the world of slimming by storm. Doughnotts has come up with Read The Article | |
| Denby Pottery Village Easter Extravaganza Weekend Denby Pottery Village is hosting an Easter Extravaganza Weekend on Friday 29th, Saturday 30th and Monday 1st April (closed on Easter Sunday). For three days only under Read The Article | |
| Croots Farm Shop celebrates British Pie Award accolade Popular Derbyshire farm shop Croots is celebrating winning an award at the annual British Pie Awards. The new Croots Steak, Mushroom and Cracked Black Peppercorn Read The Article | |
| Celebrate Easter With Bar + Block In Nottingham Head to Bar + Block Nottingham for a fantastic feast this Easter as the steakhouse get set to celebrate with a great value set menu across the weekend. Specialising in hand-cut, succulent Read The Article | |
| New Era Square's cutting edge entertainment Mecca is a city centre success A brand new hi-tech leisure destination in the centre of Sheffield has attracted over 5,000 visitors in its first month – more than double its projections. Read The Article | |
| Ey Up Me Duck: Celebrations as much missed bakery item makes a return A Derbyshire family bakery is bringing back a gone but not forgotten treat, and customers are going quackers at the thought of it. Connoisseurs of all Read The Article | |
| Be Hungry In Love This Valentine's Day At Bar + Block Available from Monday, 12th to Saturday, 17th February, share the love with a three-course menu and a cocktail from only £35 per person. Get in the mood with the limited-edition Read The Article | |
| Sheffield's £1.7m Hi-Tec Social Experience Set To Redefine Entertainment One of the most ambitious and ground-breaking leisure complexes ever seen in South Yorkshire was unveiled by Sheffield United boss, Chris Wilder, and Read The Article | |