Here 'tis, but don't expect a yuppified take on the original. This is an
old-fashioned, down-home, no-crystallized-ginger-as-ingredient,
knock-your-socks-off gingerbread. I promise . . .


ELIZA ACTON'S GINGERBREAD
(aka Mrs. Magoo's Gingerbread)



From Classic Home Desserts, by Richard Sax



2 large eggs, at room temperature

¾ cup full-flavored, unsulphured molasses or sorghum (do use blackstrap
molasses)

1 scant cup packed light or dark brown sugar (Billington's brand is best)

2 T. ground ginger (yes, 2 TABLESPOONS, and make sure the spice is fresh)

Pinch each ground allspice, cinnamon and freshly ground pepper

Grated zest of 1 lemon, @ 1½ t. peel

2 cups sifted all-purpose flour

6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, melted

½ cup buttermilk

¼ cup milk

1 teaspoon baking soda



1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. F. Butter and flour an 8-inch
square cake pan or an 8-to-9 inch kugelhopf or Bundt pan.

2. In a large bowl, beat the eggs with an electric mixer at medium-high
speed until light and frothy. Add the molasses and continue beating.
Meanwhile, stir together the brown sugar, ginger, allspice, cinnamon, pepper
and lemon zest. Gradually add to the egg mixture and beat until
well-blended.

3. Lower the speed slightly. Add about 1/3 of the flour, then the
melted butter, then another 1/3 of the flour. Quickly stir together the
buttermilk, milk and baking soda; add to the batter and mix gently. Add the
remaining flour and mix just until evenly blended, no longer. Pour the
batter into the prepared pan.

4. Bake until the gingerbread shrinks slightly away from the sides of
the pan and a toothpick inserted in the center emerges almost clean, about
45 minutes. If the top of the gingerbread is browning too quickly, loosely
cover it with foil halfway through the baking time.

5. Cool the gingerbread in the pan on a wire rack. Cut into large
squares and serve directly from the pan, with applesauce, whipped cream, or
Mrs. Magoo's personal favorite, Pumpkin Fudge ice cream (yum!!!).





Spitz
--
"Home, James, and don't spare the horses!"