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Soul Cakes for the Dearly Departed


Halloween is one of the biggest commercial holidays in the U.S., second only to Christmas. Every year, billions of dollars are spent on Halloween candy, decorations, and costumes. This made me wonder what the origins of the holiday are, and as I did research I found an excellent recipe along the way.

Halloween’s roots can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which was observed on October 31. Samhain (pronounced “sah-win”) marked the end of harvest season and the beginning of winter. It was also a time to honor ancestors who have passed on. It was believed that the veil between the world of the living and the spirit world was almost nonexistent at this time. Samhain was celebrated with bonfires and feasting. Revelers would cook food in honor of the dead and leave food outside their homes as offerings for the spirits. People would wear costumes to ward off ghosts under the logic that if you looked like a ghost, they wouldn’t bother you. Celebrators were also known to walk through their villages singing songs or reciting poetry in exchange for food.

During the Middle Ages, Catholicism came to the Celtic regions, and Catholic traditions began to blend with Celtic ones. In the 8th Century, November 1 was designated by the Catholic Church as All Saints’ Day, a day to honor the saints. In the 10th Century, November 2 was designated as All Souls’ Day, a day to honor the dead and pray for their souls. The evening before All Saints’ Day was known as All Hallows Eve (hallowed means “holy”). 

The tradition of “souling” came about when the poor of the village would go to the homes of the wealthy on All Hallows Eve. The “soulers” would beg for food, and the wealthy families would give them pastries known as “soul cakes.” In exchange, the beggars would pray for the souls of the family’s deceased relatives. It was believed that if the wealthy did not give out soul cakes, their homes would be cursed. The soulers would sometimes carry a hollowed-out turnip lantern with a candle that symbolized a soul trapped in purgatory and would wear costumes as a tribute to saints or to imitate spirits.This custom is still practiced today in some parts of England as well as in Portugal and the Phillippines.


Recipes for soul cakes vary, but they are usually round and flavored with spices like cinnamon and ginger. They usually resemble a cookie or a small scone. To make my soul cakes, I based them off of an Americanized recipe with powdered sugar sprinkled on top to give them a ghostly/saintly appearance.


Soul Cakes

*Based on a recipe from Catholic Cuisine

Makes 20 cakes

Ingredients:

1/2 c. butter

1/2 c. margarine

1 c. sugar

3 3/4 c. flour

1 c. sugar

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. ginger

1 tsp. allspice

2 eggs

2 tsp. apple cider vinegar

6 tbsp. milk

powdered sugar, to sprinkle on top

Directions:

1. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

2. Cut butter and margarine into flour. I do this by "grating" the butter and margarine with a cheese grater and then blending it into the flour with a pastry blender.  

3. Blend in the sugar, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon and allspice.  4. In a separate bowl beat eggs, vinegar and milk together.  5. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix. 6. Kneed thoroughly to form a stiff dough. Add a little more milk if needed. 7. Preheat oven to 350 F. 8. Roll out to a 1/4 inch thickness and cut out 3 inch circles with a cookie cutter or glass. 9. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes. 10. Sprinkle with powdered sugar while still warm.

Sources:

Sherry Kuehl, “The Cost Is Spooky: Halloween Is the Second Biggest Commercial Holiday in the U.S.,” The Kansas City Star (October 4, 2023).

T. Susan Chang, “Soul Cakes: Hallowed Offerings for Hungry Ghosts,” NPR/WBEZ Chicago (October 24, 2007).

History.com editors, “Halloween 2024,” History.com (October 29, 2024).

“Soul Cakes: The Original Halloween Treat,” Catholic Cuisine (October 26, 2011).

Ash Elding, “How to Celebrate Samhain: The Witch’s New Year,” The Pagan Grimoire (October 11, 2022).

“All Souls’ Day: Traditions, Legends, and Beliefs,” Farmer’s Almanac.

“Soul Cake” and "All Souls' Day," Wikipedia.

“What Does the Word “Halloween” Mean?” Dictionary.com, (October 20, 2023).

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