Pear Parkin is a unique and versatile dessert I love making at home. It combines rich pear flavors with traditional parkin spices. This dessert is perfect for celebrations or cozy evenings.
Contents
Pear parkin recipe
Pear Parkin is a variation of the traditional British cake – parkin. It originates from Northern England, particularly Yorkshire and Lancashire. This cake is often enjoyed during November, on Bonfire Night (Guy Fawkes Night). This cake has spiced flavor, dense texture, and oatmeal.
I adapted the old Parkin recipe to make it simpler and lighter. Traditional Parkin recipes use too much sugar, including treacle, golden syrup, and additional sugar. Most recipes require 200 grams of treacle, at least 150 grams of syrup, and significant sugar. It’s overly sweet.
I created a lighter Pear Parkin recipe with pear topping. The recipe remains gingery and contains plenty of oats. The texture is between a cake and a flapjack.
You can add treacle or pumpkin spice for a traditional bonfire flavor. This recipe is simple and healthy. You’ll need an oven, a shallow rectangular baking tin lined with parchment paper, a pan for simmering water, a heatproof bowl, and a mixing bowl.
Here is how to make the Pear Parkin:
Pear Parkin
Nutrition
Ingredients
- 100 g golden syrup
- 100 g light brown sugar
- 100 g butter
- 170 g self-raising flour I used a gluten-free blend
- 150 g rolled oats I used certified gluten-free oats
- 1 egg lightly beaten
- 100 ml milk
- 3 tsps ground ginger
- ½ pear
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 170oC, and line a shallow, rectangular baking tin.
- Heat a pan of water on the stove and place a bowl over the top.
- Put the golden syrup, sugar and butter into the bowl, and stir until the sugar has dissolved and the butter has melted.
- Remove the bowl from the heat and fold in the flour, oats and ginger.
- Stir in the egg and milk.
- Cut half of a pear into long, thin strips
- Transfer to the tin, and top with the pear slices.
- Bake for about 40-45 minutes, or until golden and hardened on the surface.
- Cool on a wire rack, then cut into small squares.
Notes
Similar Recipes:
Pairing suggestions
Pear Parkin pairs well with a variety of foods and beverages. Here are some suggestions you can try:
- Complementary Foods
- Custard adds creaminess to the Parkin.
- Clotted cream can be drizzled on warm Parkin.
- Caramelized pears enhance the fruitiness of the Parkin.
- Ice cream contrasts the dense cake with its refreshing texture.
- Non-Alcoholic Beverages
- Tea complements the ginger in the cake.
- Coffee contrasts the dessert’s sweetness effectively.
- Cider accentuates the Parkin’s fruity elements.
- Alcoholic Options
- Grolsch Weizen enhances vanilla in poached pears.
- Worthington’s White Shield balances spices in the Parkin.
- Sweet dessert wines enhance the sweetness of the dish.
- Late Harvest Riesling complements cake and pear flavors.
Variations
Pear Parkin has many delicious variations. You can try one of these below:
- Apple and Pear Parkin combines apples and pears for added flavor and moisture. Key ingredients include butter, flour, ginger, and treacle. Fruits create a delightful twist for autumn gatherings.
- Pear and Ginger Parkin highlights a sticky texture, ideal for snacking. Pears add moisture, reducing butter and syrup usage.
- Upside Down Parkin with Pears places pears at the bottom of the tin. Pears caramelize during baking, infusing sweetness. This method enhances the dessert’s presentation.
- Vegan Parkin uses plant-based milk and vegan butter. Spices preserve the classic flavor profile.
- Parkin Puddings with Pan-Fried Pears combine Parkin with caramelized fruit flavors. Individual puddings are paired with pan-fried pears. Warm pears are drizzled with spiced syrup.