Great Meals for a Change

A fun way to taste, talk and learn about sustainable food

Spicy Gingerbread with Cinnamon Pear Sauce

Makes: 9 servings

A rich and moist gingerbread topped with a seasonal fruit sauce.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup molasses
  • ¾ cup buttermilk
  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ground cloves
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • Cinnamon Pear Sauce:
  • 5 fresh pears
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1-3 tbsp sugar (to taste)
  • 1-2 tsp lemon juice (to taste)
  • about ½ tsp cinnamon (to taste)

Instructions:

  • Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease and lightly flour 9-inch square baking pan.
  • Combine all gingerbread ingredients in large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer at low speed until well blended, scraping the side of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Beat at high speed 2 more minutes. Pour into prepared pan.
  • Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack for about 30 minutes. Cut into squares; serve warm with Cinnamon Pear Sauce.
  • Cinnamon Pear Sauce:
  • While cake is baking, peel, core and roughly slice pears. Place in a heavy bottom pot. Add water, lemon juice, sugar and cinnamon. Adjust to desired sweetness.
  • Cook over low heat for about 1 hour. Watch closely so that the bottom doesn't scald. You may need to add more liquid during cooking.
  • Once pears are soft, puree to desired consistency with a handheld blender or food processor.
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