These days, Halloween night features little ones (and not-so-little ones) parading from house to house in search of sweets.
And while the origins of trick-or-treating are disputed, one theory traces its start to a tradition of handing out soul cakes.
Soul cakes are a type of bun adorned with currants arranged in the shape of a cross. The authentic recipe is unclear, so they have been made in a variety of ways.
Some claim that soul cakes were made during Samhain, the festival of the dying sun god, which featured bonfires to ward off evil spirits. Others trace their rise to Britain's early Halloween-like festivities celebrating All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.
Beggars would make their way from house to house on Nov. 2. Their payment for the soul cake was a performance of some sort. Some theories say that soul cakes were handed out to mummers, costumed entertainers who would make their way around on Halloween.
Either way, souling, as it became known, is seen in some circles as a precursor to trick-or-treating. If you're looking for a recipe, you'll find plenty, though it's difficult to know which is authentic, as no detailed record exists of the originals.
