Granny Wylie’s Gingerbread

When my dad came over to stay this summer we talked about his mother’s recipe book and the recipes he remembered her cooking when he was a child. He remembered the cheese pudding and scones. My dad told me that his mum was part of a sewing bee, she would meet with her friends in the house and the was always lots of baking done, but not necessarily much sewing done. He also said that his mum would swap recipes with her friends and family members. This rings true as I have my old aunties recipe books and the are many of the same recipes. Some have their own additions to the basic recipe. I have memories from when I was quite young of visiting my old maiden aunties for high tea. These aunties were my granny’s sisters the only surviving members of my dad’s family at that time. They have passed away quite a while ago now. We would som go on a Sunday and there would always be a groaning table of delicious delights. There were always sweet and savory treats for us to eat. However there was a strict etiquette to the meal and the aunties believed that children should be seen and not heard. My brother and I had to be on our best behaviour.

I suggested he choose a recipe and we could bake it together, but we never got round to it while he was here. I decided to try this one and bought the ingredients and made it after he left.

I don’t have any memories of my mum making this recipe. I do remember having Tate and Lyle Gingerbread for a dessert usually served with Birds custard. It was always a special treat. My mum was a very good cook and especially an excellent baker. Which is why this memory stuck with me as mum probably would have baked a very good gingerbread if she had put her mind to it.

Gingerbread

• 125g self raising flour
• 156g brown sugar
• 56g unsalted butter
• 143g raisins
• 143g sultanas
• 1tsp salt
• 1tsp baking powder
• 1tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 1tsp golden syrup
• 1 egg
• 120ml water

In a saucepan put the butter, sugar and golden syrup and allow to melt together, once melted add the dried fruit and spices. The this cool down. Meanwhile mix the dry ingredients together. Beat the egg and add it and the water into the dry ingredients the finally add the cooled fruit and sugar mixture and combine. In a greased and lined 1kg loaf tin pour the mixture. Bake for an hour at 150 degrees in the middle of the oven.
Very nice with a cup of tea!