i know it’s only the beginning of november, but i have the fever.
holiday fever, that is…
i can’t lie…i’ve had it for some time now. i can hear the chorus of grumbles already, but i love seeing holiday displays. even when it’s still warm enough for me to forgo a cardigan or jacket. i’ll walk into a store and slowly drift away from sean, eyes like saucers, one hand stretched out longingly…towards the holiday displays.
i can’t help it, i’m a sucker for candy cane stripes and gift wrap, twinkly things and sparkly do-dads.
the other day i walked into such a store and came home with a mean hankering for some gingerbread. back in the day, long, long ago when i worked for the coffee giant we all know (green aprons and venti cups), i loved to set up the pastry case. especially during holiday season. though, at that time, all of their goods were laden with hydrogenated oil (you could tell because we used to squish up an expired pastry from time to time…which would result in a puddle of clear oil…nice). i’ve been told they have changed their ways. anyways…the gingerbread came in a nice little loaf with a heavy slick of cream cheese frosting and a sprinkling of candied ginger.
though i don’t remember exactly how it tasted, as i was cracked-out on eggnog lattes for the duration of the season, this gingerbread is better. i just know it.
ginger-spice bread
this is adapted from a martha stewart recipe. i swapped some of the spices and also changed some of the measurements as well. i also used fresh grated ginger since i always keep a good chunk in the freezer.
1 stick unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon fresh nutmeg
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup molasses
1 large egg, lightly beaten
preheat oven to 325 F. grease an 8-inch sqaure pan (i used two small loaf pans). in a bowl rub brown sugar with the ginger to combine. add flour, salt, baking powder, pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
place butter and water in a small saucepan to melt. stir into dry ingredients until smooth. stir in molasses and egg to combine. pour into prepared pan(s) and bake for about 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean (the mini loaves tooak about 25 minutes). cool on a rack before removing from pan.
cream cheese frosting
i just added powdered sugar until i got both a consistency and flavor i liked.
1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon grand marnier
2 cups powdered sugar
in the bowl of a mixer, beat cream cheese and liquer on medium-high until creamy and fluffly. add powdered sugar in increments to combine. frost cake and garnish with chopped candied ginger.
Johanna
I AM making this…like this week. Thanks for sharing, it looks sooo good. Way better thananything you could get at a coffee giant. I am so with you on the holiday craziness. What fun is it if you can’t get excited for the build up?
Federica
wow che delizia! complimenti!
Dawn
I want that black knife girl.
Love this.
Bonbon Oiseau
oh you. holiday fever huh? uh oh!!!! this looks wonderful!
El
Your dessert looks incredibly festive. I love the decoration!
the southern hostess
I love you for going there already! This looks wonderful.
oneordinaryday
Hmm. Gotta disagree about all the candy cane stripes and holiday decorations in the stores already. I do love Chrismtas cheer, but I think Thanksgiving is too easily lost in the shuffle.
I do have to agree on the holiday food though. Bring it on! This looks yummy and I adore the candied ginger on top. I’ve gotta get me some of that.
cindy
it looks delicious (although, that’s what i always say because it’s true)! the fresh ginger sounds like a great addition. your home must have had the best aroma!
jordan
Oh my goodness! That’s beautiful!
Maria
Love this recipe!
Y
Yowza! What a gorgeous cake! I love gingerbread, and happily eat it all year round 😀
Hilary
Oh man, that just might be the loveliest gingerbread I’ve ever laid eyes on. As always your photos and styling are drop dead gorgeous.
Sophie
Your ginger spice bread looks fab, Cindy!! The frosting looks so creamy & luscious!
Ingrid
Laughed the whole time I read this post! Cracked out on eggnog lattes? LOL! Um, I’d wager to say that it is waaaaaaaaaaaaay better.
Btw, I love the Christmas season, too. Love the stores in all the finery…so festive.
~ingrid
Aran
i’d love a piece right now!
anna
Yummy! I’ve been craving big slices of gingerbread lately, too – even though working retail for several years makes me recoil upon seeing Christmas displays!
thegodscake
delicious!
check out my food blog and tell me what you think:
http://thegodscake.wordpress.com
Michael
Coco @ Roost
wow, this is just so beautiful! well done!
hannah | honey & jam
That is so beautiful!! I’ve never really had much of a taste for ginger, but you have me wanting to try this out!
Karine
I heart ginger and this sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Bonbon Oiseau
oh lord that looks delicious..how have you been my love–i have been so busy lately and failing in blog visits…hope you are doing well!
T.Allen-Mercado
I’m not a fan of ginger, but anyone who uses the word “hankering” has got to be on to something good, so I’ll be passing this on to my ginger-loving buddy!
Anonymous
I am in the process of making this and just realized that you didnt list the amount of brown sugar to add on the ingredients list…
cindy*
anonymous: it’s a 1/2 cup…so sorry!
Y
Love the bits of ginger studding the top of the cake 🙂
Mary Elaine JOnes
THanks so much for this receipt . THis is my best friends favorite cake and every year I buy the loaf from the guys wearing the green aprons. I am making this. Its also my favorite.
cindy
great! I hope you do. Thanks Mary!