Gingerbread

Gingerbread - Recipe from www.everydaydutchoven.com

• 2/3 cup dark brown sugar
• 2/3 cup molasses
• 2/3 cup boiling water
• 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into chunks
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp each cinnamon and ginger
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 cup crystallized ginger, finely chopped

Ginger Cream Cheese Icing

• 4 Tbsp. softened butter
• 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/2 cups (6 oz.) confectioner's sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/4 cup crystallized ginger, finely chopped

Lightly oil or spray 10 inch dutch oven; line with parchment paper. In a large bowl, blend the sugar, molasses, boiling water, and butter; stirring until the butter melts. When the mixture is lukewarm, add the baking soda, salt and egg. Sift together the flour and spices; add to the wet ingredients. Gently stir in the crystallized ginger. Pour the batter into prepared dutch oven. Bake at 350 degrees (8 coals around the base and 18-20 on the lid) for 25-28 minutes, or until it tests done. Cool completely before frosting. Or you can skip the frosting and eat it plain or add a dollop of whipped cream with a sprinkling of cinnamon.