Lots and lots of molasses.
And ginger.
Grated and ground.
There are a few combinations that scream "HOLIDAYS!" in my mind.
Cranberries and turkey
Chestnuts and cream
Ginger and molasses
Making a gingerbread cake was the kick I needed to help me come to terms with the fact that Christmas is only three weeks away.
Say what?
Three. Weeks. Away.
Mother of Pearl, when did that happen.
I really would have preferred to stay in denial - or go on strike....
Alas! It is on its way and there is really nothing I can do to change that.
The flip side of all this is that at least it's cake that's reminding me of the holidays...
So while I sit and feel sorry for myself and stress out about how much is left to be done, I can wallow in a hunk of cake with a healthy dose of lemon curd.
Very convenient, don't you think?
As you can see, I didn't go the baby cake route with this one. A half-recipe fit nicely into an 8" round pan. The process of making this cake was...well...it was a piece of cake.
Lemon curd was the pairing of choice, but I would have been happy with some cinnamon whipped cream. Or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Just sayin'
Time to go make some lists - and check them twice.
I am not sure if I have been naughty or nice...
Peace out, my friends.
This post participates in Tuesdays with Dorie. The recipe for Gingerbread Cakes can be found on the site of this week's host: Karen from Karen’s Kitchen Stories.
Oh, my, the lemon curd made this cake for me. I am pretty ambivalent about ginger sometimes, but the lemon curd really made this treat sing! And yours looks absolutely beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThis cake was a Xmas wake up call for me too!!
ReplyDeleteI didn't like the cake cos I don't like ginger or molasses. But I'm glad I made it! I went Xmas shopping today all thanks to that cake!
Love your dollop of lemon curd on top!
Crap....I'm totally not ready for Christmas..I'm screwed...
ReplyDeleteMmMm that piece looks quite tasty. How was it with the lemon curd? Crap...I'm getting hungry.
Three weeks away... thanks... (xxoo)
ReplyDeleteLemon curd sounds wonderful. Sadly we didn't love the cake, ginger was spot on but the molasses was overpowering. I'll stick to Dories All in One Holiday Cake!
ReplyDeleteGosh I've been in denial too... 3 weeks away... Will I ever be ready?
ReplyDeleteCan't imagine this cake paired with lemon, but your cake still looks rather delicious!
I'm not in denial. I f-ing love christmas carols, and only have a limited time in which to listen, so I do it secretly, starting in October, and then blast them full-volume from Thanksgiving on. I've never tried the lemon curd/gingerbread combo. My brain can't quite wrap around it, but if I had some lemon curd on hand, I'd definitely give it a shot. Glad you found something to kick-start your holiday spirit. I stand by my belief that there's nothing wrong with a little Bing Crosby for Halloween. HA!
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it. I bet the lemon curd was great with this.
ReplyDeleteMmmm I could eat this cake forever :D
ReplyDeleteCheers
Choc Chip Uru
I still have to make it. Isn´t if a great idea to have it with lemon curd!
ReplyDeleteLemon curd you say...hmm...yes that would be lovely. I love lemon curd. Great idea! And I'm with you on the stress that comes with christmas being so close!!!
ReplyDeleteHmmm... should have tried it with lemon curd.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately this did not hit the spot for me...
Well done on having a great tasting cake!
Gorgeous. Beautiful job!
ReplyDeleteIce cream---yes! That would have been the best topper!
ReplyDeleteLemon curd is something I wouldn't have thought of. Brilliant!
Hi Cher, I'm with you on getting a kick in the right direction for Christmas spirit with this recipe. But I had not yet registered that we only have 3 weeks...now I'm in a panic! Thanks! Your cake looks lovely...I'm ready to bake this one again.
ReplyDeleteI love your pic with the slice missing! Mine was a whole babycake missing from the rest, but no one else noticed!
ReplyDeleteCher, your Gingerbread Cake looks absolutely lovely - it has a great color and lemon curd certainly sounds like it was a terrific "side" to this cake. Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI know. Christmas always seems to creep up on me because I wait so long to buy presents! And, then my baking takes a back burner till after the holidays, surprisingly enough.
ReplyDeleteNot as excited by Christmas as I am about this cake. Definitely the thing to get me in the holiday mood.
ReplyDeleteGreat looking baby cake!
ReplyDeleteLove the pairing with lemon curd! :)
ReplyDeleteEgads I've got to get busy on Christmas! Lemon curd is a good idea. Cinnamon whipped cream too,
ReplyDeleteYour gingerbread cake looks great. It also pairs well with just simple vanilla whipped cream. Loved making it. Thanks for reminding us that it's only three weeks 'til X-Mas .....
ReplyDeleteOh, Lemon Curd! Why didn't i think of that??? Loved this cake. three weeks?? THREE!!! I could have gone all day without that reminder!!!
ReplyDeleteI am right there with you on not being ready for Christmas. Your gingerbread looks so good and I wish I had thought of serving it with lemon curd. Great idea!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the pretty FFwD Christmas card, Cher. I am so impressed that you took the time to make yours. It is taking me long enough to just write something in each one. ;)
Three weeks away you say? Oh my...
ReplyDeleteLove lemon curd - looks delicious atop your cake!
I liked this cake, too. Though I would reduce the molasses or sub white sugar for the brown. Only three weeks away!?! God help us! I need to start making a list (and checking it twice...)
ReplyDeleteI just love your Posts, Cher. It's as if when I am reading them, I just bump along, from point to point. And, then there's the crescendo which wraps up the entire Post. I believe that your 8" cake was almost a better option for this recipe. Although I LOVE gingerbread in its darkest form, it has taken me three days to eat one of my mini-bundts - that's lots and lots of whipped cream and peppermint bits! I am going to make these as gifties, however. FYI: Thanksgiving is over, my cell phone still "quacks" (it never gobbled), and I don't know how to change it. Can you please have Runner Girls' people call my people and get this fixed?
ReplyDeleteI'm with you Cher - it does not really feel Christmas-y to me yet either. But I saw this video today http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=sWEfszb9h8Q#!
ReplyDeleteand it got me in the spirit a little bit. Your cake looks yummy, dark, and delicious!
Lemon curd...that's what I must be missing! We found this cake too overpowering. May e it just needs another flavor to stand up to it.
ReplyDeletegingerbread is seasonally appropriate, for sure. lemon curd sounds like a fabulous match!
ReplyDeleteOh Cher, Your cake look so yummy! Love the lemon curd…sounds amazing! We really loved this one too! I’m a huge molasses anything fan!
ReplyDeleteYours looks like it turned out well!
ReplyDeleteI was quite keen on pairing these with lemon curd.. but had travel pans coming up.. and just didnt get the time to make them.. maybe next time.. and yes.. Gingerbread signals christmas!!
ReplyDeleteThe lemon curd was genius!!! Beautifully done, Cher!!!
ReplyDeleteOwing to "full flavor" molasses, my cakes were a bit on the strong side. Then I saw yours and a few others suggesting lemon curd or sauce. I didn't have anything lemon, but I did have some grapefruit marmalade in the fridge. That little hit of sweet and tart/bitter made the cake.
ReplyDeleteCinnamon whipped cream sounds great too. I ended up adding some cream cheese frosting and that was great
ReplyDeleteHope you are catching up on your holidays.. 2 weeks left now!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of cinnamon whipped cream with this one.