"Soul! Soul! For a soul cake!
I pray you, good missus, a soul cake!
An apple, a pear, a plum, or a cherry,
Or any good thing to make us merry.
One for Peter, two for Paul,
Three for Them who made us all.
Up with the kettle and down with the pan.
Give us good alms, and we'll be gone."

~ Unknown

Soul Cakes Recipe
From Mistress Toad

Ingredients:
Two sticks butter
3 and 3/4 cups sifted flour
1 cup fine sugar
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. each, cinnamon, ginger, and allspice
2 eggs
2 tsp. cider vinegar
4-6 Tbsp milk
Powdered sugar to sprinkle on top

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Directions:
Cut the butter into the flour with a pastry blender or a large fork.
Blend in the sugar, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon and allspice; beat
eggs, vinegar, and milk together. Mix with the flour mixture until a
stiff dough is formed. Knead thoroughly and roll out, 1/4 inch
thick. Cut into 3 inch rounds and place on greased baking sheets.
Prick several times with a fork and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Presentation:
Sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar while still warm.

Notes:
Soul cakes were the original trick-or-treat goody. Irish peasants would go door-to door on All Hallows Eve begging homeowners for food to celebrate the occasion. Soul cakes were given to them. This ensured the homeowner would be free from a curse or prank; instead, the receivers would offer prayers for them that would help them get into heaven.