Dark gingerbread cake

In Britain, treacle is the generic name used to describe most sugar syrups, from golden syrup to the dark and sticky black treacle, known as molasses here. The strong, sweet syrup adds a dense texture to this gingerbread, which was said to have arrived in Europe during the Middle Ages, when the Crusaders brought back spices from the Middle East. A similar version, parkin, uses lard and oatmeal flour and is traditionally eaten on Guy Fawkes Night, November 5.