Saturday, November 17, 2007

Warm Gingerbread with Cortland Applesauce and Cream


The annoying thing about living in a post-renovated home is that you can never find anything. It's not like after a move where you know you'll eventually unpack a box and find what it is you are looking for; it is much more uncertain than that. In the pre-renovation haste, I was just stashing stuff anywhere and everywhere and now I am suffering the consequences.
Please, if anyone finds my Diana Krall Christmas CD, hand it over. I'd like to be listening to it since we seem to be hurling toward Christmas at a breakneck pace.

I always associate this gingerbread recipe with Christmas, although I am not sure why. I can't for the life of me remember any particular incident that would connect the two together, yet, when I dusted off my Kitchen Aid and started mixing, I said to myself "I guess I'm starting my holiday baking".

I hope I am not the only person who starts baking a good month early. I tell myself that with a enthusiastic toddler to keep my busy and a baby on the way, I have to be organized and I am--in the kitchen anyway. As for the rest of the house? Forget it!
Where IS that dang CD?


Merci to my MIL for this recipe. I believe she got it from her mother and although we know it is called 'Prize Gingerbread', we have no insight into just what kind of prize this cake earned...
I think as far as gingerbread goes, this one is about as good as they get. Moist, flavorful, fragrant, and a lovely dark color from a whole cup of molasses.
Cortland apples are hard to pass up in the market these days, with their blushing bride coloring and sweet fragrance. They make the most delicate-of-pink applesauce that is a must with this gingerbread; however, if you don't have any apples, a drizzle of lemon icing would be delightful too, and whipped cream is essential.
There you have it! Your dessert for the week.

Prize Gingerbread

2 ½ cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground ginger
½ cup shortening
1 cup brown sugar

1 cup molasses
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup boiling water
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs, well beaten

Preheat oven to 325F

Butter a 9x13 cake pan or two loaf pans and line with parchment paper. Butter the parchment.

Combine flour, baking powder, and ginger together and set aside.

Cream shortening and brown sugar until fluffy, then add molasses, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Mix well. Add baking soda to boiling water and mix into molasses mixture. Fold in reserved flour mixture and combine. Add beaten eggs and mix well.

Pour into pan(s) and bake about 50 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Serve warm.


14 comments:

Mandy said...

I was just telling a friend about the gingerbread that my mom used to make when we were growing up. It looked similar to this recipe, a tad darker and she served it with hot tangy lemon sauce. To die for! And it's totally a comfort food when the weather gets cold. Yours looks amazing with that applesauce too!

Half Baked said...

Amiee,
Your ginger bread looks soooo good! Gingerbread is one of my all time favorites. I'll have to give this recipe a try!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Maybe we associate gingerbread with Christmas because of Gingerbread houses and cookies that just reek Christmas!!!The applesauce adds that extra bit of delight for the taste buds!!

winedeb said...

Good deal Aimee! I was just hunting for my gingerbread recipe! But a new addition would be your applesauce idea. Love it! Nice photos! I do not have your CD, but if you do not locate it, let me know! I have lots of Christmas CD's that I started listening to last week!

test it comm said...

Your gingerbread looks nice. I have yet to try making my own gingerbread. I will have to add it to my to try list.

David Hall said...

Gingerbread or cake is one of my favourites, this looks devine with the apple sauce!

Yes, you did hear correct, my Christmas cake is made and already 3 weeks old! I feed it brandy each week to keep it booze and moisture fueled. The recipe for my Christmas cake is here, http://bookthecook.blogspot.com/2007/01/i-have-to-admit-i-told-lie-in-earlier.html

Cheers
David

Cookie baker Lynn said...

I love gingerbread. It smells like fall and tastes like home (except the dust bunnies). Yours looks perfect.

Nora B. said...

Hi Aimée,
How big is the baby (tummy) now? Do u notice how when it gets noticeable, strangers feel like they have permission to touch (rub!) a pregnant woman's tummy? Please forgive me, but I have forgotten when you will be due - was it March?

I've not come across Cortland apples - I love the pink hue. And this ginger bread does sound like a winner. Thanks to your mom-in-law for the recipe. I am feeling festive...I have to start shopping for presents soon. It was a frantic rush last year.


x nora

Amanda at Little Foodies said...

I love gingerbread but I've never eaten it with anything. Next time I'm going to have to try some apple or lemon sauce.

May just have to give this recipe a go before Christmas.

Aimée said...

Hi Mandy- I think almost everyone's mom made gingerbread. I am happy to continue to carry the torch!

Hi half baked- Thanks for stopping by! I hope you do try the gingerbread, you won't regret it.

Hi Valli- Ah yes, you are probably right, as usual!

Hi Deb- Still no CD, I refuse to give up, though.:)

Hi Kevin- If you can bake a cake, you can make this gingerbread. Give it a try!

Hi David- Thanks for the link. Your fruitcake sounds wicked.

Hi Lynn- You are too kind-I am thinking it looks nice and would make a great bakes sale item.

Hi Nora- Thanks for asking. I am due in March, so I have just started my 6th month. The belly is not that noticeable yet as I am working by way through my bulky sweater collection and they hid it pretty well! I don't mind people touching my belly- I love being pregnant!

Hi Amanda- Your kids will love it if you do. It's a great dessert.

Freya said...

Ginberbread is so seasonal it hurts! Sometimes it can a little dry so I'm definitely bookmarking your recipe.
I can also empathise with you - we're living in a house that's mid-post refurd (depending on what room you're in) and I still can't find where i left my husband.....!

Anonymous said...

This looks delicious...and so comforting for the season. I can practically smell it!

Shayne said...

I just love gingerbread and this one looks so moist.

Anonymous said...

This was amazing! I loved how moist it was, and it was a huge hit with all our dinner guests.

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