Arab-inspired Spiced Gingerbread

Ingredients

In this Arab-inspired version of Grasmere Gingerbread, we incorporate Middle Eastern flavors and ingredients to create a unique twist. We replace some of the traditional spices with aromatic spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg. Additionally, we add a touch of orange blossom water for a floral note and garnish the gingerbread with crushed pistachios for a nutty crunch. We alse have the original recipe for Grasmere Gingerbread, so you can check it out.

• 1 cup (200g) brown sugar 1 cup (200g) brown sugar
• 1 cup (240ml) vegetable oil 1 cup (240ml) vegetable oil
• 1 cup (240ml) molasses 1 cup (240ml) molasses
• 2 large eggs 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup (240ml) hot water 1 cup (240ml) hot water
• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon orange blossom water 1 tablespoon orange blossom water
• 1/2 cup (60g) crushed pistachios, for garnish 1/2 cup (60g) crushed pistachios, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 52g, 35g
• Protein: 3g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a square baking pan.
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, vegetable oil, molasses, and eggs until well combined.
3. 3.
   Add the ground ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and salt to the bowl and mix well.
4. 4.
   Dissolve the baking soda in hot water and add it to the batter, stirring until incorporated.
5. 5.
   Gradually add the flour to the batter, mixing until smooth.
6. 6.
   Stir in the orange blossom water to enhance the Middle Eastern flavors.
7. 7.
   Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top.
8. 8.
   Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. 9.
   Remove from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
10. 10.
    Transfer the gingerbread to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. 11.
    Once cooled, sprinkle the crushed pistachios over the top for garnish.
12. 12.
    Slice into squares and serve.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Orange blossom water — Use a good quality orange blossom water to ensure a fragrant and authentic flavor in the gingerbread.
• Crushed pistachios — Toast the pistachios lightly before crushing them to enhance their nutty flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier gingerbread, increase the amount of ground ginger.
• Serve the gingerbread warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert.
• Store the gingerbread in an airtight container to keep it moist and flavorful.
• Experiment with different nuts like almonds or walnuts for a variation in texture and taste.
• Dust the gingerbread with powdered sugar before serving for an elegant touch.

Serving advice

Serve the Arab-inspired Spiced Gingerbread as a dessert or a sweet treat with a cup of Arabic coffee or tea.

Presentation advice

Cut the gingerbread into squares and arrange them on a platter. Sprinkle some powdered sugar over the top and garnish with a few whole pistachios for an attractive presentation.