SPICY GINGERBREAD RECIPES

Steps:

• In a large bowl sift together first three ingredients.
• With your electric mixture and the paddle attachment, cream the softened butter and sugar. Add the spices, then the eggs and molasses. Slowly add flour mixture; combine at a low speed. Divide the dough in to thirds; wrap in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 350°. Flour your work surface, roll dough to about 1/8 inch thick. Cut with your favorite cookie cutters into desired shapes. Transfer to ungreased baking sheets; refrigerate until firm, approximately 15 minutes.
• Bake until crisp but not darkened, usually 8 to 10 minutes. Let cookies cool on wire racks, decorate if you desire, we like ours plain. Eat and enjoy!

Steps:

• Butter a 10-inch (10- to 12-cup) bundt pan well and dust with flour, shaking out excess.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Generously butter bundt pan and dust with flour, knocking out excess.
• Bring stout and molasses to a boil in a large saucepan and remove from heat.
• Whisk in baking soda, then cool to room temperature.
• Sift flour, baking powder, and spices in a large bowl.
• Whisk together eggs and both sugars.
• Whisk in oil, then molasses mixture.
• Add to flour mixture and whisk until just combined.
• Pour batter into bundt pan and bang pan sharply on counter to eliminate air bubbles.
• Bake in middle of oven until a tester comes out with just a few moist crumbs adhering, about 50 minutes.
• Cool cake in pan on a rack 5 minutes.
• Turn out onto rack and cool completely.
• You can serve the gingerbread immediately, dusting lightly with confectioners sugar, and/or adding whipped cream.
• You can also hold the gingerbread for a day before serving, as the flavors develop with some time.