Gingerbread Cutouts

For my beautiful friend Mona....enjoy!

Gingerbread Cutouts

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 cup molasses
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
1 tbs white vinegar
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup all purpose flour
(You can use all whole wheat or all purpose flour, up to you)

In a mixer, beat butter.  Add in the sugar, baking powder, ginger, soda, cinnamon, and cloves.  Beat until combined.  Add in molasses, egg, vanilla, and vinegar.  Beat in as much flour as you can with the mixer, stir in any remaining flour.  Divide the dough in half, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the fridge 30-60 minutes.

Roll out half you dough to 1/8 inch thickness.  Using cookie cutters, cut into desired shapes.  Place on a parchment (or greased) covered cookie sheet 1 inch apart.

Bake in a 375 degree oven for 5-6 mins or until the edges are lightly browned.  Cool on a wire rack.

Chocolate - Swirl Gingerbread Cake

I found this recipe in my Everyday Food cook book (which I love).  I decided to try it out for this holiday season.  It is so yummy!  If you like gingerbread, then this cake is for you!

Chocolate - Swirl Gingerbread Cake

1/2 cup butter

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 brown sugar

1 1/2 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/8 tsp fresh ground black pepper

1/8 tsp ground cloves

1/2 cup molasses

1 egg, slightly beaten

1/4 cup melted chocolate.

Pre heat oven to 325 and butter an 8 inch square pan.

In a bowl , combine the flour, brown sugar, ginger, baking powder, salt, pepper, and cloves.

Melt the butter with 1/2 cup of water in a small sauce pan..  Stir the mixture into the dry ingredients until smooth.  Stir in the molasses and egg.

Poor half the batter into the greased pan.  With a spoon, drizzle half the chocolate over the batter.  Poor the remaining batter on top and drizzle the remaining chocolate over the batter in a decorative pattern.

Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean, about 30 mins.  Cool completely on a wire rack.