Broonies (Orkney Gingerbread)

170g (6 oz.) oatmeal
170g (6 oz.) flour
110g (4 oz.) butter or margarine
50g (2 oz.) sugar
30ml (2 tablespoons) syrup or treacle
5ml (1 teaspoon) ginger
4ml (3/4 teaspoon) baking soda
pinch salt
buttermilk to mix
1 beaten egg

Method

Mix meal and flour and rub in fat. Add salt, ginger and soda. Melt the treacle and add together with the beaten egg and sufficient buttermilk to let the mixture drop easily from the spoon. Mix thoroughly and put into a greased tin. Bake for 75 minutes in oven (160C, 325F) or until well risen and firm in the centre. (I think it goes great, hot with cold applesauce, or with apple cider.)

contributed by B. Leslie, Westray to:
Recipes from the Orkney Islands, ed. Eileen Wolfe