Easy Traditional Halloween Recipes (Soul Cakes, Candy Apples & More)

Hey there, fellow food lovers! It’s your favorite baker from scooks.com, and with the crisp autumn air rolling in, my kitchen has officially gone into full-on cozy mode. Ever wondered where the tradition of trick-or-treating actually came from? Long before candy corn and miniature chocolate bars, there were Soul Cakes.

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These little treats are a beautiful piece of history, a true taste of the past. They date back to medieval Britain and were given out on All Hallows’ Eve to “soulers” who would travel door-to-door, offering prayers for the dead in exchange for a cake. Sound familiar? It’s the origin of our modern Halloween ritual! These aren’t just cookies; they’re a story you can eat. They’re part scone, part cookie, perfectly spiced, and studded with sweet currants. This recipe is my absolute favorite way to honor this beautiful history, making it the most authentic traditional Halloween food you can share with your family this year.

Why You’ll Love This Soul Cake Recipe

You are going to fall completely in love with these, I just know it. Here’s why this recipe is about to become your new autumn staple:

• A Unique Halloween Treat: Step away from the sea of pumpkin spice and surprise everyone with a treat that has a real story behind it. It’s such a fun conversation starter and a delicious way to explore the roots of the holiday.
• Simple & Forgiving Dough: Seriously, don’t be intimidated! This dough is made with basic pantry staples you probably already have. It comes together in minutes and is perfect for bakers of all skill levels, even if you’ve never made a scone or biscuit before.
• Perfectly Spiced for Autumn: Oh, the smell! Your kitchen will be filled with the warm, comforting aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. It’s basically the scent of a perfect fall day, bottled up in a cookie.
• A Wonderful Texture: The texture is what makes these so special. We’ve perfected this recipe to give you the ideal balance—a tender, slightly crumbly scone-like interior with the gentle sweetness of a cookie. They’re absolutely divine with a cup of tea or warm apple cider.

Ingredient List

For the Soul Cakes:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
• ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 1 large egg
• ⅓ cup whole milk
• ½ cup dried currants or raisins

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions:

• Spices: Don’t have all the individual spices? No worries! You can easily substitute them with 2 teaspoons of a good pumpkin pie spice blend. It’ll be just as delicious.
• Dried Fruit: I love the classic taste of currants, but feel free to get creative. Chopped dried cranberries would add a lovely tartness, or you could try chopped dried apricots or figs for a different twist.
• Butter: For that perfect, flaky, tender texture, your butter MUST be cold. My secret tip is to cube it and then pop it in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before you start mixing. It makes all the difference!
• Make it Dairy-Free: You can absolutely make these dairy-free. Just substitute the whole milk with a creamy oat milk or almond milk, and use a high-quality, cold vegan butter substitute.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Ready to bake a little magic? Let’s do this!

Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Give it a good whisk to make sure everything is evenly combined—this is your flavor base!

Step 2: Cut in the Butter

Add your cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender or just your fingertips, work the butter into the flour. You’re looking for a texture that resembles coarse, sandy crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter still visible. Those little butter pockets are what create the tender texture!

Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients & Form the Dough

In a separate small bowl, whisk the egg and milk together until they’re just combined. Pour this mixture into your dry ingredients. Use a fork to gently stir until a shaggy, messy dough starts to form. Now, toss in the dried currants. Use your hands to gently knead the dough right there in the bowl for just a few seconds until it comes together. The key is not to overmix!

Step 4: Shape the Cakes

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently pat it down into a disc that’s about ½-inch thick. Using a 2.5 or 3-inch round cookie or biscuit cutter, cut out as many cakes as you can. Gather the scraps, gently re-pat the dough, and cut out a few more.

Place the rounds on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Using a sharp knife, gently score a cross on the top of each cake. This is the traditional marking!

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Bake in your preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the edges are a lovely light golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Baker’s Tips for Success

Want to make sure your Soul Cakes are absolutely perfect? Here are a few of my go-to tips:

• Keep It Cold: I know I already said it, but it’s the golden rule of pastries like this! Cold butter creates steam in the oven, which makes little air pockets, resulting in a light, tender cake. If your kitchen is warm, you can even chill your mixing bowl for a bit before starting.
• Don’t Overwork the Dough: Be gentle! The more you knead and mix, the more gluten you develop. Overworking the dough will lead to tough, dense cakes instead of the light, crumbly texture we’re aiming for.
• Scoring the Cross: When you score the cross on top, it’s more of a gentle press than a deep cut. You only need to go about ⅛-inch deep. It’s a symbolic touch that shouldn’t cut all the way through the dough.
• For a Golden Finish: If you want your cakes to have a beautiful, shiny, golden-brown top, you can brush them with a simple egg wash (that’s just 1 egg whisked with 1 tablespoon of milk) right before they go into the oven.

Storage Instructions

• Room Temperature: Store your cooled Soul Cakes in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh at room temperature for up to 4 days, but honestly, they are at their absolute best within the first 2 days.
• Freezing: Yes, you can freeze them! This is great for planning ahead.
  • To Freeze Baked Cakes: Let the cakes cool completely. Then, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container, and they’ll keep for up to 3 months. Just thaw them at room temperature when you’re ready for a treat.
  • To Freeze Unbaked Dough: This is my favorite method! Place the cut-out, unbaked cakes on a baking sheet and pop them in the freezer until they’re solid. Transfer the frozen pucks to a freezer-safe bag. You can bake them right from frozen—just add 3-5 minutes to the baking time!

Frequently Asked Questions About This Historic Traditional Halloween Food

What is the history behind Soul Cakes?

Soul Cakes are part of a medieval English tradition tied to All Hallows’ Eve and All Souls’ Day. Children and the poor, known as “Soulers,” would go door-to-door singing and praying for the souls of the dead. In return, they’d receive one of these small, spiced cakes. This practice, called “souling,” is widely considered one of the earliest forms of trick-or-treating!

What do Soul Cakes taste like?

Imagine the perfect love child of a sweet, tender biscuit and a warmly spiced scone. They aren’t overly sweet, allowing the flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and sweet currants to really shine through. The texture is soft and a little crumbly—absolutely perfect.

Can I add a glaze?

Of course! While it’s not the traditional way, a simple glaze would be a fantastic addition. Just whisk together some powdered sugar with a tiny splash of milk or apple cider until you get a drizzly consistency. Drizzle it over the completely cooled cakes for an extra touch of sweetness.

Why is there a cross on top?

The cross was a powerful and common symbol. It was marked on the cakes to signify that they were given as alms, or charity, and served as a blessing to both the giver and the receiver. It was a reminder of the Christian prayers being offered for the souls in purgatory.

A New Halloween Tradition

Baking these Soul Cakes is so much more than just making another dessert; it’s a chance to connect with history and start a meaningful new tradition with your family. Sharing the story of “souling” while enjoying these warm, spiced treats is a beautiful way to embrace the spirit of the season. I really hope you enjoy this special recipe for traditional Halloween food and that it brings a little bit of magic and history into your kitchen.

If you try this recipe, I would be so thrilled to hear about it! Please leave a comment and a rating below to let me know how they turned out. Happy baking!