Old-Fashioned Gingerbread

Recipe courtesy Ina Garten

Show: Dear Food NetworkEpisode: Thanksgiving Desserts

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (52)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(52)

Cook Time:
45 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
9 servings

Times:

Prep: 30 min
Inactive Prep: 1 hr 35 min
Cook: 45 min
Total:: 2 hr 50 min

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Ingredients

1/4 cup dark rum or water
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 cup unsulphured molasses
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
1 1/2 teaspoons grated orange zest
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/3 cup minced dried crystallized ginger (not in syrup)
1 cup confectioners' sugar, optional
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed orange juice

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8 by 8-inch cake pan and line with parchment paper. Grease and flour the pan.

Place the rum and raisins in a small pan, cover and heat until the rum boils. Turn off the heat and set aside. Place the butter and molasses in another small pan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Pour the mixture into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Cool for 5 minutes, then mix in the sour cream and orange zest.

Meanwhile, sift the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt together in a small bowl. Mix with your hands until combined. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the flour mixture to the molasses mixture and mix only until smooth. Drain the raisins and add them and crystallized ginger to the mixture with a spatula. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for about 35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Set aside to cool completely.

When the cake has cooled, whisk together the confectioners' sugar and orange juice and pour it onto the gingerbread, allowing it to drip down the sides. Allow the glaze to set. Cut the gingerbread into 9 squares.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Old-Fashioned Gingerbread
Valerie Albuquerque, NM 12-29-2009
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Very Good
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

I hadn't read any reviews when I made the gingerbread. As I was making it, I realized no eggs were called for in the recipe.... I had another recipe that did call for eggs, so I decided to add them. Added three eggs and doubled the spices. Came out very good--moist and flavorful. Not sure it would have held together without the eggs, but who knows!Read more
recipe Old-Fashioned Gingerbread
Vickie Greensboro, NC 12-29-2009
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A Real Winner!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

A wonderful dense, yet moist, cake that has great texture from the raisins and the ginger. I served it for guests with a... scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side, and it was a big hit. I found the recipe very easy to follow and had absolutely no problems with it at all. A new favorite in our house!Read more
recipe Old-Fashioned Gingerbread
Sandy Crossett, AR 12-26-2009
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Wonderful!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

My entire family and the staff I work with totally loved this bread. I served it with the orange juice icing, I also put mine... in a muffin tin. It doesn't have to be cut and it is so easy to transport. Love it! Thanks Ina. I will make this a couple of times a year. My 10 year grand daughter raved about it. Read more
recipe Old-Fashioned Gingerbread
Leeann Dacula, GA 12-25-2009
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moist and delicious!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Everyone loved this! Make the rum whipped cream to go with it... it balances the richness of the cake perfectly.
recipe Old-Fashioned Gingerbread
Anita White House, TN 12-19-2009
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The Best!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This recipe is excellent!!!! I intentionally omitted the raisins. Other than that, I did everything else per her... instructions. It was bursting with flavor, moist, sweet and had the perfect texture. I made whipped cream as a topping, minus the rum. We can't find anything wrong with this recipe. My 89-year-old mother said it was the best she ever had!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you, Ina! I've made so many of your recipes, I've lost count. Thank you for another delicious recipe.Read more
recipe Old-Fashioned Gingerbread
null null, null 12-15-2009
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Our new holiday favorite
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Like others, I was concerned that Ina's recipe didn't call for any sugar or eggs, but I followed it to the letter. The cake... is moist, very flavorful and sweet enough to even please my granddaughter. This is the best gingerbread recipe I have found. Around our house, this is definitely a keeper. What great holiday treat!Read more