Broonie (Scotland)

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup medium oatmeal
• 2 heaping tablespoons butter
• 1 scant teaspoon baking powder
• 1 beaten egg
• Pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons black treacle (molasses)
• 1 cup buttermilk, divided
• 1 heaping teaspoon ground ginger

Instructions

1. Mix oatmeal and flour thoroughly in large bowl.
2. Rub in butter.
3. Add the sugar, salt, ginger and baking powder; mix well.
4. Melt treacle until warm. Stir in beaten egg and half the buttermilk. Stir mixture into flour, adding buttermilk gradually. Stop when mixture is soft enough to drop from a spoon.
5. Amply grease an 8 x 4 inch tin. Add mixture.
6. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 1 1/4 hours or until well risen. Test to ensure it is cooked in the center by inserting a thin skewer.
7. Let cool for a few minutes before removing from tin.
8. Cool on a rack; leave overnight if possible to let it set.