Thursday, November 3, 2011

Sweet & Sassy Gingerbread






Gingerbread is one of those treats I never really cared for until a few years ago.  It always had way too strong of a taste for me, and to be honest I thought it was kind of boring.  After I realized that the type of molasses you use in baked goods can drastically alter the flavor, I decided I wanted to give gingerbread another chance, and fiddle around with a new recipe.  I'm glad I did because this is a wonderful little cake that is now a staple in my fall and winter baking.
I use a very mild molasses which I prefer, and all the spices going on equal not boring at all!  When you first taste it you get that sweetness that gets cut just enough with a bite from the molasses adding a little sassiness.  This gingerbread is lovely on its own, but I always tend to add a schmear of mascarpone to it.  I also find that it tastes even better the second day, and it freezes very well.
I know that this is a bit of a low key recipe for me, but I think in order to make the fancy stuff, you have to have a good foundation.  This recipe is also part of a new dessert that I have coming up next, and I can't wait to share it!  I love when I can make part of a dessert ahead of time, so when you make this freeze half of it.  I promise you're going to like what happens next... Enjoy the video!





Gingerbread

  • 1 stick unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 3/4 cup unsulphured molasses
  • 1 & 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/2t. salt
  • 2t. baking powder
  • 1/4t. baking soda
  • 2t. ground ginger
  • 1t. cinnamon
  • 1/4t. ground cloves
  • 3/4 cup whole milk
  • 1T. white vinegar
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  2. Spray an 8"x 8" pan with nonstick cooking spray. Line with parchment paper for easy removal.
  3. Cream butter and sugar till light and fluffy.
  4. Add egg & mix until combined.
  5. Add molasses.
  6. Combine vinegar and milk and set aside (mixture will curdle).
  7. Sift dries together.
  8. Alternate adding dries with milk mixture, starting & ending with dries.
  9. Pour batter into prepared pan and spread out evenly.  Bake for 50-60 minutes till gingerbread is set and pulling away from sides of the pan.

41 comments:

  1. Anonymous11/03/2011

    Your gingerbread looks like the perfect way to start off the holidays!

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  2. Anonymous11/03/2011

    That looks so perfectly moist!
    I've never had gingerbread, only gingerbread cookies with a very different texture, and our German pfefferkuchen, which a aren't quite the same, looking at recipes and pictures.
    I'm curious though, this looks wonderful!

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  3. I didn't like it till I got older, my dad loves it so I make it for him often. I agree needs spice. Hope you are having a great week.
    -Gina-

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  4. It looks delicious! I love the video :)

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  5. I just ate some gingerbread this morning at my daughter's sitters house and decided to find a stellar gingerbread recipe to bake this weekend. I guess I can check that one off my list! Thanks for a great recipe!

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  6. I swear I'm watching a cooking channel :) The gigerbread looks just how I like it too,
    Great job!!

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  7. The cake does look delicious. I could eat a piece just like it is- a "purist piece". Sometimes those are the best. Glad you decided to do the video in your posts, sometimes showing is better than the written word. I look forward to your next post, but in the meantime I will enjoy the video. Have a great day!

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  8. I love gingerbread, it's one of my favorite holiday treats.

    http://chicgeekery.blogspot.com/

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  10. Looks so yummy! Always loved gingerbread!

    foodforhunters.blogspot.com

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  11. Your gingerbread looks fantastic!

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  12. Ooooo, I love gingerbread. The strong flavor is what always appealed to me to be honest. It's not a wimpy boring cake by any means lol. I love the looks of your version and will have to give it a try!

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  13. My husband and I love gingerbread! Awesome video.

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  14. I used to buy gingerbread with my pocket money and climb into my treehouse and scoff the lot - greedy little monster that I was. This looks like a cake that I would share only reluctantly. Yum!

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  15. I so love gingerbread, especially this time of year. Puts me in the mood for the holidays. Thanks for sharing your recipe, I will have to give it a try...for some reason, I always make gingersnaps or gingerbread cookies rather than the bread itself. Sounds yummy though!

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  16. It sounds good! I like the addition of molasses in the ingredients. I am sure it will be perfect with a cup of tea or coffee...

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  17. The perfect treat for the holidays, I'm loving it! And the video is fantastic :) Thank you for sharing!

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  18. The gingerbread looks delicious! Great twist with the molasses!

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  19. Oh, my gosh, your gingerbread looks so moist and delicious! I really want to dig into one of your slices...with a dollop of whipped cream. Fabulous!

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  20. Anonymous11/03/2011

    This looks amazing! I love gingerbread. I'm allergic to cinnamon, but I think you have enough other flavors that it would work!

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  21. Great tip about the molasses. I've discovered a recent love of gingerbread too, so I appreciate seeing your recipe!

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  22. That looks and sounds wonderful - is there anything I can substitute for the molasses though (I don't think I can quite get that in the UK yet)?

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  23. I like the more mild molasses, but I love all of the spices, especially cinnamon. I can't wait to try this yummy cake. Gingerbread is my new pumpkin for November.

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  24. Anonymous11/04/2011

    Yum, this looks so good!!!! I haven't had Gingerbread in years!!

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  25. This sounds delicious! Although I bake quite a bit I still have to make gingerbread someday, you are inspiring me to do so :)!

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  26. Thanks for all your kind words on the gingerbread and the video!

    @Galit - You can substitute 3/4 cup maple syrup for the molasses. If you don't have that you could also use honey or dark corn syrup. I would go with the maple syrup. Let me know how it turns out!

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  27. I used to love gingerbread but I have a very sad sad allergy to ginger that has gotten worse with age L I think I’ll just live vicariously through your gorgeous pictures!!

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  28. This is fabulous. I love gingerbread. This is a lovely recipe and I think I'll be trying this out over the holidays. Nothing like the taste and smell of gingerbread.

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  29. This is great work....love the video....

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  30. Gorgeous color on the gingerbread. Congratulations on the Top 9!

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  31. congrats on the Top 9 today!

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  32. I love gingerbread. It brings back wonderful childhood memories. When I was a child my mom would take my brother sister and I to a place in Oregon called the Gingerbread House. It was always warm and spicy with sweet whipped cream melting over it.

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  33. Anonymous11/06/2011

    I love gingerbread, but I didn't know that different kinds of molassas could change the flavor that much. Great post!

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  34. This is without a doubt the best blogger video I've seen yet! And I'm in LOVE with your pink kitchen :)

    Buzzed

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  35. I can't wait to try this! Love the video!

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  36. Sweet & sassy? My kind of gingerbread!
    xo
    http://allykayler.blogspot.com

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  37. Wow, awesome! You've given me ideas for desserts, not just for Thanksgiving, but for Christmas, with your amazing gingerbread, so moist and delicious! Another great video, Meghan:DDD

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