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Gingerbread Squares with Honey-Mascarpone Cream

4.4

(29)

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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

  1. 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.)

  2. 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.

  3. Step 4

    • Italian cream cheese available at Italian markets and many supermarkets.
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