Name: Gingerbread Squares with Honey-Mascarpone Cream
Yield: Makes 9 servings
Ingredients: 1 8-ounce package mascarpone cheese *; 2 tablespoons honey; 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice; 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour; 2 teaspoons ground ginger; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger; 1/2 cup vegetable oil; 1/2 cup mild-flavored (light) molasses; 1/2 cup (packed) dark brown sugar; 1 large egg; 1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon peel; 1/2 cup boiling water; Powdered sugar

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Gingerbread Squares with Honey-Mascarpone CreamBrian Leatart

Mascarpone cheese, with its slightly tart flavor, gets a sweet boost from honey. If you can't find mascarpone, top this with honey-sweetened sour cream or crème fraîche.

Recipe information

Yield
Makes 9 servings

Ingredients

Topping

1 8-ounce package mascarpone cheese *

2 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Cake

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup mild-flavored (light) molasses

1/2 cup (packed) dark brown sugar

1 large egg

1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon peel

1/2 cup boiling water

Powdered sugar

Preparation

For topping:
Step 1
Whisk mascarpone cheese, honey, and lemon juice in small bowl to blend. Cover; chill until ready to serve. (Can be made 1 day ahead; keep chilled.)
For cake:
Step 2
Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour 8-inch square metal baking pan. Whisk first 6 ingredients in medium bowl to blend well; whisk in crystallized ginger. Whisk oil, molasses, and brown sugar in large bowl to blend; whisk in egg and lemon peel. Gradually whisk in dry ingredients, then boiling water. Transfer batter to prepared pan.
Step 3
Bake cake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool cake 15 minutes. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool completely; cover and store at room temperature.) Cut cake into squares; sift powdered sugar over. Serve warm or at room temperature with topping.
Step 4
- Italian cream cheese available at Italian markets and many supermarkets.

TagsCake Dessert Ginger Herbs & Spices Cinnamon Molasses Lemon Citrus Fruit Mascarpone Cheese Dairy Nut Free Baking Christmas Bon Appétit

Recipe information

Ingredients

Topping

Cake

Preparation

For topping:

Step 1

For cake:

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Recipe notes