Homemade Spicy Gingerbread

This Homemade Spicy Gingerbread is a quick and easy recipe that is full of rich molasses & flavored with plenty of ginger & cinnamon. A perfect dessert for the holidays, served with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, a la mode or with homemade caramel or vanilla sauce. Maybe you can even sneak a piece or two for breakfast!

Gingerbread has been a favorite of my family for years, especially my Dad. Every time he would come to visit me, no matter where I lived or what time of year it was, I would bake him a gingerbread. He so looked forward to it and I am sure if I didn’t bake one he would have been so disappointed. I traditionally make it for the holidays now and everyone knows it’s baking as soon as they walk in the house. The aroma from this will have you drooling and thinking Christmas never smelled so good.

This same spicy gingerbread recipe has been with me now for over 40 years. I think the first time I ever made it was in my middle school home ec class. No number crunching here. lol It’s a rich, dense bread (some call it a cake) from the molasses that is added to the batter and comes out with a distinct spicy flavor from the ginger and cinnamon.

Rich, dense and hard to resist, Spicy Gingerbread is the perfect addition to your holiday dessert table.

I love to serve squares of gingerbread with a little powdered sugar on top but it’s also great a la mode with some caramel sauce or vanilla sauce drizzled on top.

If you’ve ever made quick breads, such as Banana Bread or Zucchini Bread, you’ll realize how simple this recipe is to make. It requires just 8 ingredients, a couple bowls, some measuring utensils, a spoon and an 8 or 9″ square baking dish. Check out just how easy below.

Easy steps to the perfect Homemade Spicy Gingerbread

1. In a medium bowl, combine melted shortening, molasses and sugar. Stir.
2. Combine flour, baking soda and spices. Add some flour mixture to molasses batter and blend.
3. Alternate water and flour additions until all ingredients have been used. Stir well.
4. Pour into prepared square baking dish. Smooth top and bake.

5. Bake for 30-35 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool on wire rack.

Cut into squares sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar.

Decorate the platter with mint leaves and cranberries and serve with caramel or vanilla sauce on the side.

When I make this at Christmas time, it always brings a smile to my face just remembering my Dad’s joy upon seeing this gingerbread on the table when he arrived. Such a special feeling in my heart for this spicy, sweet dessert. Of course, we never told anyone that he had it for breakfast too. 🙂

Enjoy!

5 from 2 votes

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HOMEMADE SPICY GINGERBREAD

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

30 mins

Total Time

40 mins

 

This Homemade Spicy Gingerbread is a quick and easy recipe that is full of rich molasses & flavored with plenty of ginger & cinnamon. A perfect dessert for the holidays, served with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, a la mode or with homemade caramel or vanilla sauce. 

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keywords: Christmas, dessert, easy recipe, gingerbread, molasses, recipe

Servings: 12 servings

Calories: 224 kcal

Author: Linda Warren

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup shortening melted
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup hot water

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan with shortening. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl, combine melted shortening, molasses and sugar. 

3. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, salt, baking soda and spices.

4. Add sifted dry ingredients alternately with hot water to molasses mixture. Beat until smooth.

5. Pour into prepared pan and bake 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

6. Place on wire rack to cool. 

7. Sprinkle cooled gingerbread with powdered sugar.

8. Cut into squares and serve as is, a la mode or with a caramel or vanilla sauce.

Nutrition Facts

HOMEMADE SPICY GINGERBREAD

Amount Per Serving

Calories 224 Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 8g 12%

Saturated Fat 2g 10%

Sodium 194mg 8%

Potassium 227mg 6%

Total Carbohydrates 34g 11%

Sugars 18g

Protein 2g 4%

Calcium 3.4%

Iron 9.1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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