Gingerbread

Gingerbread

(makes 1 35cmx25cm tin full)

Ingredients:

450g plain flour (or substitute 100g for wholemeal flour)
4 level tsp ginger
1 level tsp bicarbonate of soda (US: baking soda)
1 level tsp salt
100g sultanas or raisins
200g soft brown sugar
150g butter or spread
175g molasses or treacle
175g golden syrup
300ml milk (dairy or otherwise)
2 eggs

Method:

Line a 35cm x 125cm dish such as a roasting pan with greased greaseproof paper, or grease very well with butter or coconut oil. Mix the flour with the ginger, bicarbonate of soda and salt in a large bowl. Stir in the sultanas. 

Put the brown sugar, fat, treacle and syrup in a heavy-based saucepan, and heat gently, stirring with a wooden spoon a few times, until they are melted together.

Warm the milk in another pan (or a jug in the microwave) and beat in the eggs. Mix the sugar and fat mixture into the flour, stirring well, then gradually add the milk and egg, stirring after each addition.

Pour the gingerbread into the prepared pan. Bake at 170C for about 30-40 minutes or until cooked. Cool in the pan for a few minutes, then carefully turn out and cool on a wire rack.

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This is a cake I have traditionally made before Christmas, as an alternative to Christmas cake for teatime. It's not particularly gingery, so if you prefer stronger tastes, add a bit more ginger. It will keep for several days in a sealed container in a cool kitchen, or in the fridge. It also freezes exceptionally well, and is useful as a standby for unexpected guests. It thaws quite quickly after being taken out of the freezer.

I use Flora dairy-free spread and whatever dairy-free milk we are currently using; it works well with any that I have tried. I haven't tried making this without eggs, so it's not vegan, but it could theoretically be made with chia eggs or other substitutes. However you might need to add a bit of baking powder, as the eggs contribute somewhat to the rising. Don't try adding extra bicarbonate of soda as it can affect the taste. 

If your family hates raisins, you could leave those out, or add different dried fruit such as chopped dates or apricots.