I just do not believe that anyone gains weight during the holidays. This is prime time for indulgence, and thus I will stuff my face without a trace of second thoughts. After one fateful holiday in Mount Vernon, Melissa Gray (self-professed “NPR Cake Lady”) embarked on a confectionery mission, bringing in a new cake to the office of All Things Considered every week, avoiding box mixes, canned frosting, margarine, low-fat sour cream, and sugar replacements. The result is All Cakes Considered, a national tour of gateaux that gets me fantasizing about dessert with Ira Glass. For this week’s How-Tuesday, we’re sharing Melissa’s gingerbread recipe; dark beer and crystallized ginger would lure me to any Christmas party, even if I’d have to suffer through a carol or two.
Purchase All Cakes Considered from Amazon or an independent bookseller.
Every Monday, I bring in a cake for my colleagues at NPR, a.k.a., National Public Radio. Why Monday? Because no matter how much you love your job, Monday is the day you look forward to the least. There’s something about having cake at work that makes everybody happy, even the dieters who proclaim that you’re doing this just to torture them. It’s a communal thing and a sensory thing. A behavioral psychologist might say that it’s using an object (sweet food) to stimulate pleasure receptors in the brain, thus building a powerful association in the subject’s mind between work and pleasure.
I hate being analyzed by the likes of B.F. Skinner, so I’ll just go Forrest Gumpian: “Momma says cake brings people together.”
I don’t know the real name of this recipe, but it’s from my neighbor Jane Marshall. Her mom was a home economics instructor back in the ’50s, so consequently, Jane knows a good recipe when she sees one. She jotted this down after watching Bon Appétit Catering in July 1985. While Jane’s not a big fan of gingerbread, she loves this recipe. I call it ATF (as in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) because it’s made with dark beer and crystallized ginger. Bite into one of those chunks of crystallized ginger, and you think your mouth might explode. And then you’re addicted. This serves 8 to 10, depending on how many come back for seconds.
You’ll Need
An 8-inch square or 9-inch round baking pan
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1 large egg
1 cup molasses
1 cup dark beer (see Tip)
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Dash of salt
1/2 cup crystallized ginger, broken into small chunks
Tip: That’s roughly two-thirds of a bottle from a six-pack. Measure out the 1 cup and drink the rest of the bottle, not the rest of the six-pack. Remember: friends don’t let friends bake drunk.
1. Center a rack and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray the sides and bottom of pan with baking spray.
2. Cream the butter with the mixer on medium speed, add the brown sugar, and beat well.
3. Still at medium speed, add the egg, molasses, and dark beer all together. Beat well for 1 to 2 minutes.
4. In a separate bowl, dry whisk the flour, baking soda, ground cloves, ground cinnamon, and salt together. Add the batter in thirds, beating well after each addition.
5. Using a spatula, fold in the crystallized ginger.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick or thin knife inserted in the centers comes out clean.
Gingery Cream Cheese Frosting
Now, as you might suspect, ATF Gingerbread is a more aromatic and less sweet gingerbread than what you’re used to. If you’re one of those who needs the sweet and doesn’t mind just a little more kick, I recommend this frosting, which I found in Sharing Our Best, a community cookbook project sponsored by the Gideon Sunday School Class of Providence Baptist Church, in Gloucester, Virginia. The recipe makes enough to heavily frost one 8- or 9-inch layer, or the top of a cake baked in a 10-inch tube pan.
You’ll Need
3 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Cream the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla at medium speed. Add the confectioners’ sugar gradually, add the ginger, and beat until smooth.
Thanks to Melissa Gray and the good folks at Chronicle Books for sharing this recipe with us. For more addictive cakes, check out All Cakes Considered.
More How-Tuesday Posts | Plants and Edibles Category | The Home Chef Gift Guide
87 comments
Sign in to add your owntiemee says:
Love gingerbread--can't wait to try with dark beer. Mmmm. Thanks!
2 years ago
TickledPinkKnits says:
Heard about this fun book on NPR and happy to see it mentioned here on Etsy. Hooray for cakes any day of the year! :)
2 years ago
theeye says:
omg that looks yummy
2 years ago
polkadotsandblooms says:
Devine! I adore gingerbread and certainly will try this recipe and bring for the family over the holidays
2 years ago
kayre says:
i'm hungry!
2 years ago
cutiepiecompany says:
Sounds delicious! Can't wait to try it!
2 years ago
Vanessa says:
I love to listen to NPR while cooking!
2 years ago
prettypanda says:
Mmmmm, I wanna try all!
2 years ago
SimpleJoysPaperie says:
Mmmmm ~ looks delicious!!!
2 years ago
wendilee1956 says:
Okay, I haven't even baked one yet and it's already my favorite...
2 years ago
poppyswickedgarden says:
OOOOH That looks like a recipe worthy of my recipe book:) I can almost taste it now. I love the holiday season when I give myself a chance to bake too;)
2 years ago
simplyworn says:
yum, and will do...stuff myself with goodness
2 years ago
seboldsoriginals says:
MrMc.Karr will certainly be trying this Gingerbread recipe.
2 years ago
TheCottageCheese says:
Ho-ly-cow. A frosted gingerbread cake made with beer? I simply must bake this. Love NPR!
2 years ago
TeenAngster says:
This recipe makes my mouth water. WANT!
2 years ago
gooseberrystudio says:
I'm a gingerbread nut, the frosting recipe is very decadent...an alternative is to take a little bag of crystallized ginger and snarf it down.
2 years ago
marbled says:
looks delicious
2 years ago
tomatored says:
Warm gingerbread and vintage items make me happy!
2 years ago
TwistedRiverClay says:
Love the article and the All Cakes Considered - very funny, the gingerbread nut sounds MMMMMMMM.
2 years ago
BululuStudio says:
Yummy cakes. Love it.
2 years ago
KOALACaddie says:
I'm heading to my printer for this recipe, then to our gourmet shop for the ginger, then to the liquor store for the dark beer, and then to the kitchen for Gingerbread Nirvana! Thanks so much.
2 years ago
MyMoms says:
Cool picks & delicious!
2 years ago
BabbidgePatch says:
mmmm the confections look so tastey` thank you for the recipe too!
2 years ago
twolefthands says:
I'm ashamed to say, just bought my box of mix the other day! You have to have gingerbread at holiday time!
2 years ago
LustreBeads says:
Wow! E x t r e m e l y tempting!
2 years ago
AnnBernadette says:
Ahh! Amazing, what a great activity to do with my family in town!
2 years ago
opendoorstudio says:
This is looking SO yummy.. i have jotted this one down and think I might make it for the holiday! Thanks for sharing!
2 years ago
opendoorstudio says:
ps...npr rocks! I love listening to it in the car!
2 years ago
MagicalPonyFarm says:
YUMMM!
2 years ago
orchardfarmsoap says:
i'm going to make that recipe tomorrow!thanks:)
2 years ago
bythewayside says:
MMm! I'll have to try this one! I have an applesauce gingerbread from Gourmet that I love, so we'll see which is better :)
2 years ago
kadlubik says:
aammmmmm,have you tried chocolate stout cake?
2 years ago
AnodynePress says:
Holy Friggin' Mouthwatering Yum, Batman!
2 years ago
MimiBoutique says:
I love gingerbread too. I can't wait to try that receipt. Thank you. MimiBoutique
2 years ago
SewnNatural says:
AYE, I can't wait to try this! Thanks!
2 years ago
ydolem says:
I aM sOOOOOOO mAkInG tHis For ChRistMas fOr ThE In-LAwS!!! ThaNkS!!
2 years ago
themefragrance says:
interesting recipe with the beer. will try it. does the beer add leavening?- in using beer with tempura batter, it makes it airy, frothy...
2 years ago
reiddamnit says:
mmmmmmmmmmmm
2 years ago
nowonder says:
Everything looks so yummy! I might try the frostings!
2 years ago
urbanrelics says:
I love gingerbread and can't wait to try this recipe. (And I have one of those Pyrex Friendship bowls too. Love it.) I heard your NPR interview about this book when it first aired and I remember thinking it was such a clever idea. I look forward to reading it.
2 years ago
GgaBulShop says:
Yummy~!!
2 years ago
3MariesDesigns says:
Reading this recipe makes my mouth water and I love that it has both real ginger and dark beer in it. So excited to make it!
2 years ago
genisepark says:
Now that looks yummmy. I can't wait to try it for Christmas Eve and that vintage Pyrex friendship bowl is charming. Wonderful selection of items.
2 years ago
gifteddesigns says:
The PICTURE made my mouth water and then I was nearly drooling...man I SO need to do this!
2 years ago
SYFjoolz says:
Oooooh, there is nothing like the smell of gingerbread as it bakes. The beer is an interesting ingredient... I'm gonna have to try this recipe. Besides, I've yet to meet a cream cheese frosted dessert that I didn't like! Happy Holidays!
2 years ago
Emmamaha says:
Yummy pics. I need to make time to bake...
2 years ago
CardboardCastle says:
Thanks for this I CAN'T WAIT to eat it I mean bake it. droooollll...
2 years ago
BayMoonDesign says:
Oh, my gosh I love ginger and everything looks so good.
2 years ago
sharonclancydesigns says:
Mmmmmm, how yummy! Thanks for sharing!
2 years ago
sugarpush says:
I am totally making this tomorrow! I love cakes with beer in them. And I love gingerbread! So it's a perfect combination.
2 years ago
BlackStar says:
I'll have to try this one! And the Etsy finds in this article look incredible.
2 years ago
Iammie says:
Yumm...
2 years ago
anemonecomms says:
NOM NOM NOM....
2 years ago
cozettebyclearcat says:
Yam Yam!! THanks~
2 years ago
BlueMoonShadows says:
Wow! How very cool! I can't wait to try the recipe. Thanks so much for this great "How to" and for sharing the recipe. Happy Holidays!!! Lisa
2 years ago
TomBjornDesigns says:
baking it right now :) actually
2 years ago
SkylarkDawn says:
This sounds just divine! I'm running out to the market for missing ingredients now! Must make today!
2 years ago
rebeccasanchez says:
Mmmmmmm
2 years ago
PillowPallooza says:
This looks soooo good ! can't wait to try it !!! thanks for sharing :)
2 years ago
MeadowbelleMarket says:
Gingerbread!! I wish it was in style to eat it all year...think I will, anyway.
2 years ago
absolutelysmall says:
Oh. My. Gosh. This looks so amazing!!
2 years ago
imfromthewoods says:
imahafto try this
2 years ago
voleurdebijoux says:
lovelovelovelovelove....thank you!! xoxo (have a bit of a sweet tooth)
2 years ago
NoisyButterfly says:
OMG!!!! That looks soooo...Good. I love to bake. I love cakes. I am going to try this recipe this evening!!!!
2 years ago
Kayspassionam says:
the cake looks so good! Thanks for the recipe!
2 years ago
megscreations says:
Mmmm thanks for the recipe. I am going to have to make this one for sure.
2 years ago
TheJoyofColor says:
That is wonderful , can't wait,Besides my crafting and painting i love baking, and am baking my home bread 3 times a week and willing to share my Brownies recepie with everyone, Thanks
2 years ago
mingtaphotography says:
DELICIOUS!!!
2 years ago
hermied says:
Just one more amazing recipe I HAVE to try!
2 years ago
Windbent says:
I can't wait to try this. I love gingerbread in all forms (cakes, cookies, cupcakes, tea bread, and the gingerbread from Grasmere). Thanks!
2 years ago
YumYumPendants says:
I totally hoard the gingerbread at a local buffet restaurant. This post was made for me!!
2 years ago
Petaluna says:
I actually just made this tonight - it looked and sounded amazing, a cake Homer Simpson would appreciate, but I have to say I was a little disappointed. I'm not a beer lover, and the bitterness of the dark stout really came through, for me not in a good way. I think the beer and molasses together created too much of a burned carmelization situation, and I guess it didn't help that in my oven the top was charred by 35 minutes. I would add ground ginger to the batter in addition to the candied ginger if I made it again. Cardamon would be good, too. I'm still gonna frost it and see if that helps. I made it for a family dinner tomorrow night, and given it's a holiday with all the stores closed, they'll eat it no matter what.
2 years ago
JaniceCordeiro says:
There is absolutely nothing in the world to compare to fresh, home baked anything. Especially cakes. My sons remember coming home from school to the smell of home baking. They especially loved the bread. Me, I'll take any cake.
2 years ago
sweetharvey says:
Wow, everything looks fantastic! I am now completely starving!
2 years ago
LavenderField says:
Loved this article!
2 years ago
anadiazarte says:
Yummy!, Thank you so much for the recipe!
2 years ago
SweetwaterGems says:
This sounds wonderful! I wish the "tip" was included that is referenced about the dark beer. The choice of beer is really important because a beer with a lot of hops will taste bitter and unpleasant. My husband suggests that a Gordon Biersch Marzen or Negra Modelo Dark would be a good choice or if you don't care about dark, a Red Stripe is good for cooking. Most of the serious micro brewed beers are too strong and push the limit on the hops which isn't what you want for food. Not that we don't love micro-brewed beers! It's about all we ever have in the house. I can't wait to give this a try!
2 years ago
chenzi says:
Yum! this is a great recipe - full of all the good stuff that makes food taste good! thanks!
2 years ago
acraftingheart says:
YUM YUM Thank you
2 years ago
RuthBleakley says:
yuuum! I've been looking for a good gingerbread recipe to try and this one sounds neat with the booze...maybe a nice chocolate stout?
2 years ago
HoneysucklesCafe says:
Gingerly Decadent, divine. Oh, I just love your take on Holiday Weight gain. I indulge myself as well, infact...everyday is a Holiday!
2 years ago
LANCERIKA says:
Crazy about gingerbread.. fantastic recipe..love it!
2 years ago
3MariesDesigns says:
I just made this today with Young's Double Chocolate Stout. This has to be the best beer to bake with! Absolutely delicious, love this recipe!
2 years ago
soulyluna says:
Gingerbread Cake = My birthday cake. Everyone needs a special birthday cake, guaranteed to bring a smile every year
2 years ago
swakdesigns says:
I absolutely love Ginger--And actually have a pack of crystallized ginger chunks in my cupboard. Soooo, I think that I'll have to give this one a try. :-) Yum-ooo
2 years ago
kokopelligirl says:
This sounds amazing,a must try!
2 years ago