Best. Gingerbread. Ever. (How could it miss, with a cup of Guinness Stout in it?)
This was our Christmas dessert; it tastes better when it’s made the day before serving, which gives the intense ginger and molasses flavors ample time to marry. If you don’t want to make this now, when our thoughts are turning to lighter, slimmer New Year’s resolution fare, tuck this recipe away for when you want the best gingerbread you’ve ever had. I’ve been sneaking little bites of it since Christmas, and it has brought a smile to my face every time I’ve tasted it. Adapted from Gourmet Magazine.
Gingerbread decorated by Miss Elizabeth Bennett!
1 cup Guinness Stout
1 cup dark molasses (not blackstrap)
1/2 t. baking soda
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 t. baking powder
2 T. ground ginger
1 t. ground cinnamon
1/4 t. ground cloves
1/4 t. freshly grated nutmeg
Pinch of ground cardamom
3 large eggs
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
Powdered sugar for dusting
Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously butter a 12″ bundt pan and dust with flour, knocking out the excess.
Bring stout and molasses to a boil in a large saucepan and remove from heat. Whisk in baking soda, then cool to room temperature. (It will foam up when you add the baking soda, hence the need for a large pan.)
Sift together flour, baking powder and spices in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs and sugars. Whisk the oil into the egg/sugar mixture, then add the cooled stout/molasses. Add to the flour mixture and whisk until just combined.
Pour batter into bundt pan and rap pan sharply on counter to eliminate air bubbles. Bake in middle of oven until a tester comes out with just a few moist crumbs adhering, about 45 to 50 minutes. Cool cake in pan on a rack 5 minutes. Turn out onto rack and cool completely.
Dust cake with powdered sugar.
If possible, let the cake rest a day before serving. It lasts for days when stored airtight and only gets better and better, until, sadly, it’s gone.
What is the points on the Guiness Ginger Bread?