The ultimate Christmas treat , serve warm gingerbread with a drizzle of tangy lemon sauce or scoop shovel of ice pick .
Whilegingerbread cookiesare a vacation staple , do n’t overlook warm , richly spiced gingerbread cake . Popularized in early American cookbooks like Amelia Simmons’American Cookery , this nostalgic bar remains aholiday favorite , fill the air with the unmistakable aroma of Christmas . A cordially spiced afters broil and shared across Europe for generation , gingerbread made its way to America through immigrant families who carried their cherished recipes and traditions with them . spice like ginger , cinnamon , nutmeg , and cloves were mixed with affordable sweeteners like molasses to make this beloved treat .
We serve ours with a tangy lemon sauce for a vivid , citrusy touch . Not a lover of lemon ? Swap for a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent twist .
Credit: Andy Lyons
Our Tips for the Best Classic Gingerbread
Creating a moist , lovesome gingerbread cake is all about the right ingredient and techniques . For a delicious gingerbread that showcases the festive flavors of the season , keep these baksheesh in intellect :
Ingredients
1½cupsall - purpose flour
¾tsp.ground Cinnamomum zeylanicum
¾tsp.ground gingerroot
½tsp.baking powder
½tsp.baking soda pop
½cupshortening
¼cuppacked brown cabbage
1largeegg
½cupmild - savour molasses
½cupwater
Lemon Sauce
Thin strips of lemon peel(optional )
⅔cupsugar
4tsp.cornstarch
¼cupwater
2tsp.lemon zest
¼tsp.lemon succus
2largeegg vitellus
6Tbsp.butter , cut into pieces
¼cuphalf - and - half , clean cream , or milk
Directions
Prepare Oven and Cake Pan
Preheat oven to 350 ° F . Grease a 9x1 - 1/2 - in round bar pan ; set aside . In a average bowl , combine flour , cinnamon , ginger , bake powder , and bake soda ; coiffure aside .
Mix Cake Batter
In a orotund roll , beat expurgate with an electric mixer on medium upper for 30 arcsecond . Add browned sugar ; beat until fluffy . Add egg and molasses ; beat for 1 hour . Alternately add the flour mixture and the water to beaten mixture , beating on low stop number after each summation until combined . Pour hitter into prepared pan .
Bake and Serve
Bake for 35 to 40 bit or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean . Cool in pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes . Serve warm . Spoon Lemon Sauce over individual servings . If desire , garnish with lemon peel funnies . micturate 9 servings .
Cook the Sauce
In a small saucepan , stir together simoleons and cornstarch . agitate in water , lemon zest , and lemon yellow juice . Cook and touch over medium warmth until mixture is somewhat thickened and bubbly . Cook and shake for 1 minute more . step by step stir red-hot mixture into 2 beaten egg egg yolk . Return testicle yolk potpourri to saucepan . Cook and stir for 2 minutes more . step by step conjure up in butter piece until melt . shake up in half - and - half . Serve ardent .
How To Bake Classic Gingerbread Ahead
Prepare and bake gingerbread as directed , then cool completely in pan on single-foot . covering and memory at room temperature for up to 3 days . For longer depot , place gingerbread in an airtight container ; get across and freeze out for up to 3 months . The fain lemon sauce can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days . heat energy in a small saucepan , stirring over low heat just until affectionate before serving .
