Sticky ginger skillet parkin

This one-pan pud/cake hybrid – called parkin – is an easy dessert for Bonfire Night, Halloween or cooler nights. Served straight from the oven, it’s perfect with custard

200g salted butter , chopped 85g light brown soft sugar 85g treacle 185g golden syrup 250g self-raising flour 2 tsp ground ginger 1 tsp mixed spice 100g porridge oats 2 large eggs 2 tbsp milk 2 balls stem ginger from a jar, chopped, plus 2 tbsp syrup from the jar, and extra to serve

Optional custard or ice cream, to serve

1

Heat the oven to 150C/130C fan/gas 2. Put a heavy-bottomed 25cm ovenproof frying pan or skillet over a low heat and gently melt the butter, sugar, treacle and golden syrup together, stirring with a wooden spoon, until the butter is just melted and everything is combined. Remove from the heat and leave to cool slightly for 5-10 mins.

2

Sieve the flour and spices together, then mix in the oats. Whisk the eggs, milk, stem ginger and ginger syrup together in a bowl or jug. Stir the dry ingredients into the cooled butter mixture until well combined. Stir in the ginger, milk and egg mixture until you have a thick cake batter. Transfer to the oven and bake for 45-50 mins until firm and risen. Serve scooped from the pan with extra ginger syrup and maybe custard or ice cream, or leave to cool and eat cold. Will keep, wrapped in baking parchment, for up to seven days.

TWIST IT Rum & raisin parkin

Pour rum over a handful of raisins and leave to soak overnight. Mix most into the batter, then serve with with extra raisins scattered over.

Sticky pear & parkin sundaes

Pile cubes of parkin into glasses with a chopped canned pear, toffee ice cream and some ginger syrup mixed with whisky. Top with toasted pecans.

Caramelised banana, parkin & custard

Fry a sliced banana in butter until golden, add a drizzle of golden syrup and carefully toss. Serve over parkin with thick custard.

PREP: 10 MINS COOK:50 MINS PLUS COOLING SERVES 10-12