Author Notes
To me, gingerbread epitomizes everything lovely about that cold, dark end of fall beginning of winter time of year. The spices and deep flavors tell stories of cozy dinners with friends. When it gets excessively Novemberish out there, I bake gingerbread. I made some gingerbread for a potluck with friends once to which another friend brought some burnt caramel ice cream. The combination of flavors was astoundingly delicious! I've found the flavor comes in just as nicely if you make a burnt caramel sauce - and then you have an excuse to still add whipped cream. - fiveandspice —fiveandspice
Test Kitchen Notes
If you’re looking for a spin on a gingerbread, this cake is a great alternative to the ever-popular cookie. The molasses lends a bold flavor and chestnut color and a pinch of black pepper rounds out the fall spice blend. Let the burned caramel sauce soak in to the cake for a satisfying blend of salty and sweet and dollop with sweetened whipped cream for an elegant party presentation. - Natalie —The Editors
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Ingredients
- Old-fashioned Gingerbread
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1 cup
sugar
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1/2 cup
butter (unsalted), softened
-
3/4 cup
heavy cream
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3/4 cup
boiling water
-
3/4 cup
dark molasses
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2
large eggs, whisked
-
2 cups
all purpose flour
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2 teaspoons
baking soda
-
1/2 teaspoon
salt
-
3/4 teaspoon
ground cinnamon
-
1 tablespoon
ground ginger
-
1/4 teaspoon
ground cloves
-
1/8 teaspoon
ground black pepper
-
1/2 cup
finely chopped candied ginger (optional)
- Burnt caramel sauce and whipped cream
-
3/4 cup
sugar (raw or unrefined is best)
-
1 tablespoon
water
-
2 cups
heavy cream, divided
-
2 teaspoons
vanilla extract, divided
-
pinch of salt
-
2 tablespoons
plain sugar
Directions
- Old-fashioned Gingerbread
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Preheat your oven to 350F and grease an 9X9" baking pan. In a small bowl, stir together the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda and spices).
-
In a bowl, beat the butter and sugar together with an electric mixer until the mixture is smooth. Then beat in the molasses, hot water (carefully), and cream until frothy. Finally beat in the egg.
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Quickly stir in the dry ingredients and candied ginger (if using) until just combined. Don't over stir. Scrape the batter into the prepared baking pan and pop into the oven.
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Bake for about 40-45 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for a very moist cake.
- Burnt caramel sauce and whipped cream
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In a heavy bottomed pot, combine the 3/4 cup sugar and the water. Heat over medium, without stirring at all, until the edges have begun to melt and turn amber.
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With a heat proof utensil, begin to stir up the melted bottom and edges and keep cooking, stirring all the while, until the sugar has all melted, turned a deep brown color and started to smell just a titch burned. This should take 3 or 4 minutes.
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Remove from the heat and stir in 1 cup of heavy cream - be careful for splatters. Stir until it is completely combined, however the caramel may instantly harden when the cream hits it. Don't worry. Return the pot to the stove top and cook over very low heat until all the caramel is melted into the cream and it is well combined. Remove from the heat and stir in the salt and 1 tsp. vanilla. Set aside and allow to cool very slightly but keep warm.
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In a chilled metal bowl (or in a standing mixer) whisk together the other 1 cup of heavy cream, 2 Tbs of sugar and 1 tsp. vanilla until soft peaks form.
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Cut the gingerbread into 8 slices, drizzle each slices with a scoop of caramel and a very generous dollop of whipped cream. Enjoy
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