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    Home » dessert » cake » Canadian Tire Kitchen Crew Mission #3: Sticky Gingerbread with Dates

    Canadian Tire Kitchen Crew Mission #3: Sticky Gingerbread with Dates

    Sep 28, 2011 · 19 Comments

    Of all my missions for the Canadian Tire Kitchen Crew, this one is my very favourite, mostly because it combines two of my of my loves in life - baked goods and a good cup of coffee.  My challenge was as follows:

    What's more fun than experimenting in the kitchen?  This week, your mission is to back away from the recipe book and bake treats using our mystery ingredient - coffee! From mild to strong - the level of bold is up to you! So what are you waiting for? Get baking!

    To complete this mission, I was provided with a Cuisinart Programmable Hot Water System Coffee Maker.

    Sticky Gingerbread with Dates

    Its arrival was cause for much rejoicing, because our drip coffeemaker had gone to the big coffeehouse in the sky several months ago, and I'd been dithering about buying a replacement.

    In the meantime, we'd been making do with americanos when we felt like firing up the espresso maker and french press coffee the rest of the time... but while both are perfectly cromulent coffee brewing options, sometimes a girl just needs a big pot of proper North American drip coffee.

    The biggest feature of this particular Cuisinart model is the fact that it's divided up into two sections.  On the left is the coffeemaker, and on the right is a hot water dispenser.

    Sticky Gingerbread with Dates

    In terms of the coffeemaker half,  I have to admit being thrown off by all the different buttons and knobs and dohickeys on the display, since I've never owned a coffeemaker equipped with anything more than an "on/off" switch.  After some head-scratching, I eventually resorted to reading the manual to figure out how to actually use my new toy and was rewarded with a great pot of coffee. Definitely not what you want in a coffeemaker when you're under-caffeinated and just want a damn cup of coffee already.

    That said, I do like that among all those buttons is a timer function that ensures I'm greeted by a full, hot pot of coffee in the morning, because I don't think I could manage to operate the machine when I'm in a half-asleep pre-coffee state.  And the auto-off is kind of handy, at least for me, seeing as I'm forgetful even when caffeinated.

    Sticky Gingerbread with Dates

    As for the hot water dispenser, it's not really my cup of tea (if you'll pardon the pun).  It feels superfluous for a home kitchen - it isn't any faster at boiling water than my regular electric kettle, and I don't need instant access to boiling water so badly that I'd consider keeping it turned on all the time.  I suppose it might be useful in an office setting where the machine would essentially be turned on all day anyways, but for most homeowners I'd suggest grabbing the Cuisinart Brew Central Coffee Maker instead (it's essentially the same machine, sans hot water dispenser) and using the extra $30 to buy a kick-ass kettle.

    Sticky Gingerbread with DatesDespite those minor nitpicks, I must say the Cuisinart Programmable Hot Water System Coffee Maker does perform admirably where it matters most; it brews an excellent cup of coffee. Which is handy, because that's exactly what you need to make this sticky, gooey British-style gingerbread.

    This recipe started with a cold, rainy Friday last week.  It's the kind of fall weather that makes me want to spend the day than curled up on the couch with a good book, a cuddly cat, a big mug of hot coffee and a big chunk of sticky gingerbread topped with a dollop of whipped cream.  Not that I could do any of those things, since I had to go to work instead, but a girl can dream... right?

    That craving still lingered the following morning, despite the fact we were blessed with a warm, sunny Indian summer sort of Saturday that rarely comes along in late September. Not exactly gingerbread weather any more, but I didn't care.  I wanted gingerbread.

    Sticky Gingerbread with DatesI started off with my usual gingerbread recipe, which yields a perfect British-style gingerbread - a dense, pillowy soft, incredibly moist cake, with a hint of molasses and warm, gingery spices.  I then replaced most of the liquid in the original recipe with coffee and, inspired by sticky toffee pudding (another British classic), added a handful of chopped dates to the mix.  All it took from there was the remainder of my usual ingredients and few quick stirs with my trusty wooden spoon to yield a glossy dark brown batter speckled with bits of date.

    What emerged from my oven almost an hour later is a soft, sticky gingerbread that's just as good, if not better, than the original.  The coffee and dates flavours aren't particularly noticeable - rather, they give the gingerbread a subtle depth, a roasty sort of richness that underpins the dominant flavours of molasses and spice. Exactly what I was craving, and then some.

    And with the weather channel calling for the cold, wet, blustery fall weather to return over the next few days, I've got a forecast of my own: more gingerbread!

    Sticky Gingerbread with Dates

    Disclosure:
    I was provided with compensation, including a free Cuisinart Programmable Hot Water System Coffee Maker, in exchange for creating this post for the Canadian Tire Kitchen Crew series.
    The Kitchen Crew series highlights my stories, recipes & tips with promotional consideration made possible by Canadian Tire. If you want to uncover your kitchen’s true potential, stay tuned to the Kitchen Crew for my weekly missions.

    //

    Sticky Gingerbread with Dates
     
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    This dessert combines two classic British desserts - gingerbread and sticky toffee pudding - into one dense, sticky, moist and gooey package. What it lacks for in the looks department, it more than makes up for with its rich molasses-and-spice flavour.
    Author: Isabelle Boucher (Crumb)
    Recipe type: Dessert
    Serves: 12
    Ingredients
    • ½ cup unsulfured fancy molasses
    • ½ cup golden syrup (see Ingredient Note)
    • ½ cup packed dark brown sugar
    • ½ cup butter, cut into small cubes
    • 1 cup strong brewed coffee
    • 1 cup chopped pitted dates
    • 2½ cups flour
    • 1½ tsp baking soda
    • ½ tsp salt
    • 2 tsp ground ginger
    • 1 tsp ground allspice
    • ⅛ tsp ground cloves
    • 2 large eggs
    • ¼ cup milk
    • ½ tsp vanilla extract
    • 2 tbsp grated fresh ginger
    Instructions
    1. In a medium-sized saucepan set over low heat, combine the molasses, sugar, golden syrup, butter and coffee. Cook, stirring frequently, until butter is melted and mixture is smooth. Stir in dates. Remove from the heat, pour into a large bowl and set aside to cool.
    2. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 325F, and line a lightly buttered 9x13″ baking dish with parchment paper.
    3. In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, allspice and cloves. Set aside.
    4. Once the molasses mixture is cooled and just slightly warm to the touch, add the eggs, one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Stir in milk, vanilla extract and grated ginger, and stir until blended.
    5. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring just until the mixture comes together into a runny, slightly lumpy batter - resist the urge to add more flour or to continue stirring.
    6. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake in preheated oven for 45-55 mins, or until top feels springy and a tester inserted into the cake comes out with a moist crumb.
    7. Allow to cool for 15 minutes, then lift the cake gently out of the baking dish using the edges of the parchment paper and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve at room temperature or slightly warmed with a generous dollop of whipped cream.
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    « Canadian Tire Kitchen Crew Mission #2: Pear Cranberry Crisp with Gingersnap Crumble
    Love Me Tender: Peanut Butter and Banana Muffins »
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    Comments

    1. Don (@foodieprints) says

      October 21, 2011 at 1:17 pm

      It's 1:00 pm and I need an afternoon coffee...

      Now I need something gingerbeady too, preferably with dates! :)

      Reply
    2. Natalie says

      October 19, 2011 at 10:34 am

      Sticky Toffee Pudding & Gingerbread are my two favourite winter desserts!! You're an angel putting them together like this, an angel and a genius! It kind of reminds me of Jamaica Ginger Cake, did you get that there? I loved that too...

      Reply
    3. Ana Helena Campbell says

      October 3, 2011 at 12:52 pm

      I love cuisinart products, just purchase a panini maker from them and it is fantastic! You have combined delicious ingredients in one bite. Your recipe is absolutely divine. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    4. Russell van Kraayenburg says

      October 2, 2011 at 6:28 pm

      What a cute coffee maker. Where do I sign up to get one?? Lovely recipe as always!

      Reply
    5. Choosy Beggar Tina says

      October 1, 2011 at 10:03 am

      My god, this looks good. It reminds me a little bit of a sticky date pudding that a local bakery used to call "Queen Elizabeth Cake", even though it was not at all a traditional QEC recipe...it was far more delicious. This looks like an awesome treat for these gray fall days!

      Reply
    6. Beth Michelle says

      October 1, 2011 at 8:51 am

      First that coffee machine looks awesome. I <3 Cuisinart. Second, this sticky gingerbread with dates looks and sounds so so good. I truly love anything with dates in it!

      Reply
    7. Denise @ TLT says

      October 1, 2011 at 4:11 am

      Lovely recipe! I love this kind of sticky, gingery, spicy baking!

      Reply
    8. Joy says

      September 30, 2011 at 2:01 pm

      This is a great recipe.

      Reply
    9. [email protected] says

      September 29, 2011 at 8:11 pm

      This looks amazing Isabelle - what a creative use of the product! I would like some of that now. And perhaps for breakfast tomorrow - with a coffee, of course!

      Reply
    10. Kimmi says

      September 29, 2011 at 2:53 pm

      I wish I could buzz some recipes a million times. This is one of them.

      Reply
      • Isabelle says

        September 29, 2011 at 3:24 pm

        Thanks, Kimmi. That's sweet of you to say. :)

        Reply
    11. bellini says

      September 29, 2011 at 1:18 pm

      It just gets better and better isabelle.

      Reply
    12. Samantha says

      September 29, 2011 at 4:55 am

      Oh my gawd Isabelle this looks freakin' amazing! I never bake, why don't I bake? Now I want to bake! You and your ginger recipes are driving me crazy!
      Thanks so much! ;)
      XO
      Sam

      Reply
      • Isabelle says

        September 29, 2011 at 3:24 pm

        You should bake! In fact, EVERYONE should bake... it's good for the soul. (Bad for the waistline, unfortunately, but who cares about that when you've got inner peace and delectable goodies?)

        Reply
    13. Lynn @ I'll Have What She's Having says

      September 28, 2011 at 9:27 pm

      I love this recipe! Coffee and gingerbread sound like a great combination.

      Reply
    14. Curt says

      September 28, 2011 at 9:23 pm

      Sticky, I like the sound of that. I love gingerbread and I'll bet it's great with dates.

      Reply
    15. Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says

      September 28, 2011 at 9:11 pm

      I love dates too!! This looks really delicious!

      Reply
    16. [email protected] says

      September 28, 2011 at 8:50 pm

      Isabelle....I LOVE dates! Date nut bread, sticky toffee pudding. I can only imagine how much they enhance the flavor of gingerbread! What a great fall treat paired with a cup of coffee from your new coffee maker! How lucky you are! I want to join the Canadian Tire Kitchen Crew! I can't wait to see what you get and make next!

      Reply
      • Isabelle says

        September 29, 2011 at 3:23 pm

        This is actually my second-last post for the Kitchen Crew. I won't lie... I might feel a little sad when I push the Publish button on the next one, because I've had so much fun working on these.

        Reply

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    Hello! I'm Isabelle, and this is my blog. I'm a 40-something coffee-chugging, booty-shaking, bargain-shopping, trucker-swearing self-taught cook with a major addiction to vintage cookbooks. Come for the recipes, stay for the terrible puns! Connect with me on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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