Gingerbread & whipped cream...

 

Heavy cream, freshly whipped and sweetened with a shake of powdered sugar.  Isn't it pretty in the bowl?  This gets plopped on top of fresh gingerbread.  I don't know why I don't make it more often.  The flavor is deep and rich and earthy.

I didn't wait for you, I've taken a couple bites.

Hot black coffee goes perfectly with this cake.

Almost.....

.....gone.

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Gingerbread

~ Author Unknown (sorry)

1/2 c. butter

3 T. fresh grated ginger (I use a microplane zester)

1/4 t. salt

1 t. cinnamon

1/2 t. allspice

1/2 t. ground ginger

1/4 t. fresh ground black pepper

1/2 c. dark brown sugar

1 c. dark molasses

1 t. spicy brown mustard

2 eggs

2 t. baking soda

2 1/4 c. flour

1 c. hot strong brewed coffee

powdered sugar

Grease a 9x9 pan (I used an 8x11") and dust with flour.

Combine butter and fresh ginger in a large saucepan; you will mix the cake in it.  Cook butter and ginger on medium heat until aromatic, 3-5 minutes.  Stir in salt, cinnamon, allspice, ginger, & pepper and cook another 30 seconds.  

Remove from heat. (smells heavenly!)

Stir in sugar, molasses, and mustard until smooth.  Mix in eggs and baking soda until batter foams.  Stir in flour and beat well and then mix in coffee and stir until smooth.  Batter will be thin.  Pour into prepared pan.  Bake at 375* for 35-40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.  Cool in pan 10 minutes.  Remove cake from pan (or not).  Dust with powdered sugar and serve with whipped cream.

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I don't know where I found this recipe, but it is written in my hand on a grocery list type of paper.  All I know is that it is tried-and-true and so good.  Don't be frightened away by the hot mustard and pepper.  It gives the cake a richness and depth of flavor.  

*One tip that I have for fresh ginger root:  I freeze it.  When you need some, take the side of a spoon and scrape off the outer skin.  Then use a microplane zester to grate the ginger.  

Works like a charm.

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More drizzly, foggy days in a row.  I'm grateful that the wind isn't blowing.  I'm feeling under-the-weather both literally and metaphorically.  I've caught a nasty cold and am feeling tired and drippy, like the weather.  I shant complain about it though; after sloshing through the mud walking home from the chicken coop, I was thanking God that there is going to be green grass and plenty of run-off to fill the stock ponds.  

One has to look forward, doesn't she?

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.  

~Anne Bradstreet

In all things, give thanks.....  I Thessalonians 5:18