Hi bakers! This week, we celebrate the Celtic festival of Samhain by asking you to make something Samhain themed or traditional to the regions in which the holiday is celebrated.
Samhain is officially on November 1st , but celebrations actually begin the evening of October 31st. It denotes the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Bonfires are lit on that night, and some believe that on that night the boundary between the living and the Otherworld is thinnest at that time. Souls of family members that have passed are believed to revisit their homes and family members may even set places for them at the table. People may dress in costume and go door to door to recite verses in exchange for food (sound familiar?). It’s thought that people may have dressed up to disguise themselves from spirits.
As always, here are some example recipes that fit the theme. Happy baking, and happy Samhain!
Soul Cakes
Barmbrack
Irish Soda Bread