soul cake

noun

, British.

1. a round, sweet bun or small, oval cake, traditionally made to celebrate All Souls' Day.

Word History and Origins

Origin of soul cake¹

First recorded in 1680–90

Example Sentences

When "souling", these cakes would be handed out as people sung a rhyme: "Soul, soul, for a soul-cake; Pray you, good mistress, a soul cake."

From Salon

Folklorist Jack Santino, who writes about the Celtic origins of Halloween, reminded me of the slightly sinister nature of the soul cake exchange.

From Washington Post

It is found among ourselves too, essentially connected with the dead, and something similar to it appears in the "soul cake" connected originally with All Souls' Day.

From Project Gutenberg

Trick or treating began with Christian beggars asking for "soul cake" biscuits in return for praying for dead relatives.

From Project Gutenberg

The soul cake referred to in the verses is a sort of bun which the people used to make, and to give to one another on the 2d of November.

From Project Gutenberg