Ingredients (13)
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup well-shaken low-fat buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick), at room temperature
- 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup dark molasses, such as Grandma’s Robust
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
Tip
Why Do We Celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25?
There are several reasons Christmas is celebrated on Dec. 25. The date is nine months after March 25, a day recognized by Christians as Annunciation. It was the day Mary was told she would was having a baby. The nine months that follow are an approximation of Jesus’ birth. Dec. 25 also coincides with pagan Winter Solstice celebrations like Saturnalia' and Dies Natalis Solis Invicti. Since they were historically celebrated around that time of year there was precedent for holiday festivities during this time of year.
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What Does the Name 'Christmas' Mean and What Is the Meaning of Christmas?
Christmas is a shortened from the words “Christ’s mass.” It’s derived from the Middle English word "Cristemasse" which has Greek, Hebrew and Latin origins. Christmas is an annual holiday that honors the birth of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated by Christians around the world and is regarded as an important religious and cultural holiday.
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How Can We Celebrate Christmas?
Christmas is traditionally celebrated in many ways and celebrations vary across cultures. In the days leading up to Christmas, people usually put up special decorations including colorful lights and evergreen trees. Gifts are often placed under the tree and exchanged on Christmas day among loved ones. Large meals are also typically served as part of the celebration as well.
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No, not Gingerbread Cookies, but rather soft, moist, spiced cake that needs nothing more than vanilla ice cream or a strong cup of coffee to accompany it. Just mix flour, dried ginger, baking soda, and other spices, cream butter and brown sugar. Beat in molasses and eggs, then add the flour mixture and buttermilk. Scrape into a loaf pan and bake. This is too tasty to wait for the holiday season to bake!
What to buy: There are various intensities of molasses available, from light to blackstrap, and after trying nearly all of them we found that dark (sometimes marketed as robust) tastes best in this.
For more, check out our Amaretto Pound Cake, Chocolate Pound Cake, and Lime Pound Cake.
Instructions
- 1Heat oven to 350°F and arrange a rack in middle. Coat a 9-inch-by-5-inch loaf pan with butter, dust with flour, and tap out excess.
- 2Combine flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, allspice, and cloves in a large bowl. Whisk to aerate and break up any lumps; set aside. In a separate medium bowl, stir together buttermilk and vanilla until combined.
- 3Combine butter and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until light in color and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in molasses until well combined then add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition until well incorporated.
- 4Stop mixer and scrape bowl and paddle (mixture will look separated and curdled). Add one third flour mixture beating on low speed just until flour is incorporated. Add half buttermilk mixture and once batter is smooth add another third flour mixture. Add remaining buttermilk and mix until incorporated. Add remaining flour mixture, and beat until incorporated and smooth.
- 5Pour into prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean and cake is pulling away from sides of pan, about 45 minutes. Cool cake in pan for 10 minutes and then turn out onto a rack to cool completely.
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Wine Pairing
2014 Rocca Maura IGP Viognier
A dry, white wine with a slight bit of sweetness will balance out the spices.
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