Gingerbread

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2/3 cup molasses
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup buttermilk
• Whipped cream (optional)
• Rum Glaze (optional)

Preparation

1. 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; gradually add sugars, beating well. Add egg, beating until blended. Add molasses, beating until smooth.
2. 2. Whisk together flour and next 8 ingredients in a large bowl. Add to butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition. Pour into 9 lightly greased (6-oz.) ramekins.
3. 3. Bake at 350° for 24 to 28 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool on a wire rack 15 minutes. Serve warm with whipped cream, or drizzle with Rum Glaze.
4. Note: Gingerbread may be baked in a greased and floured 9-inch square pan. Increase bake time to 50 to 55 minutes.