The author remembers as one of her pleasantest child hood experiences the rare Sunday
evenings in winter, when the father of the large family decided that he must have bannock
he himself made.
It was a ritual, making those little water cakes of Scot land. The negro cook was called
from the kitchen. She was given careful instructions about the amount of flour and salt to
put in a big brown crock, to be brought along with the tripod and huge iron griddle. The
cakes were baked over the coals on the broad dining room hearth.
The author looked about for bannock in Scotland and found it. It was not as good as the
bannock of memory, but it was real Scotch bannock, she was told, the Scotch bannock that
never changes from generation to generation.
2 cups coarsely ground 1/2 tsp. salt
flour 1/2 cup cold water
Add the water gradually to the flour and salt, using more if needed to make a stiff
dough. Shape into thin round cakes with the hands. Bake on an ungreased griddle.
Sift together
11/2 cups flour 1/2 cup butter softened
1/2 tsp. salt 3/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 tsp. soda 1 egg slightly beaten 1 cup sugar
Mix with
11/2 cups graham flour
1 cup currants
Blend the butter into the flour. Mix in the milk and egg and knead into a smooth
dough. Shape into thin cakes with the hands and bake at 400° F. for about thirty
minutes.
Sift together
2 cups flour 1/2 cup light molasses
1/2 tsp. soda 1/2 cup butter
1 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. ginger 2 eggs well beaten
Heat the molasses, sugar and butter together until the butter is melted. Gradually
add the eggs and mix well. Blend in the flour. Turn into a well greased baking pan to
one-half inch thickness and bake at 350° F. for thirty minutes. Cut into small squares
when cold.
4. Sour Cream Ginger Cake
Sift together
3 cups flour
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. salt
Mix together
1 cup sugar
½ cup butter softened
1 cup light molasses
1 cup thick sour cream
2 eggs well beaten
Gradually add the flour to the molasses mixture. Bake as directed for Scotch Ginger
Cake. Cut into small squares when cold.
Sift together
2 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. soda
3/4 cup sour milk
Add enough milk to the flour to make a stiff dough. Shape into thin round cakes with
the hands and bake on a griddle.
Sift together
2 cups flour 2 tbsp. lard
11/2 tsp. baking powder 1 cup milk scant measure
1/2 tsp. salt
Mix with
1/2 cup currants
2 tbsp. brown sugar
Blend the lard into the flour. Add the milk and mix quickly and lightly. Drop into
small cakes and bake at 400° F. for fifteen minutes.