The origins of Soul Cakes are hotly debated. Some sources say they hail from pre-Christian practices as offerings to the souls of the dead, while other sources cite medieval Christian customs as the true roots. Whatever their origin, the baking of Soul Cakes as an offering or gift to the those of the Otherworld – be they the souls of those passed on, spirits, sìth, or the like – is still practiced in some regions of Europe today and is making a comeback among practitioners of folk magics of Britain and Ireland, those who have ancestral ties to those regions, and among practitioners of folk Christianity, particularly European folk Christian customs, or those who have roots in Christian ways.

These spiced ‘cakes’ or cookies are prepared as gifts for soulers at Allhallowtide (the days of All Saints’ Eve, All Saints’ Day, and All Souls’ Day) and as part of the Halloween, Samhain, and Yuletide celebrations and observances of many. In this post, we’ll explore variations of Soul Cakes, sharing recipes and exploring their different purposes. Let’s dig in!

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