Mini Gingerbread Loaf
I’ve been thinking a lot about weeds. Well, I’ve been pulling a lot of weeds and therefore I’ve been pondering their existence.
Let me back up. I told y’all that I have a Master’s degree in horticulture and agronomy, yes? My specialty is weed management. Did you even know you can specialize in that? Did you know lots of people are weed scientists? Oh, the career options they don’t tell you about in high school never cease to amaze me! Before you even ask, I’ll tell you that studying and eliminating weeds is important because they are a major contributor to crop loss. You like to eat food, right? Then you should care about weeds. Farmers yielding food is important. Tell me you get this.
As I’ve been pulling copious amounts of amaranth and morning glory weeds out of my garden to make room for the onions and baby broccoli plants to survive, I’ve been asking God why the weed has the easier life. Why do weeds freely grow without much care, while the plants that we depend on for food need to be meticulously coddled? Doesn’t it seem like one of God’s mistakes?
Well, I think I discovered the reason behind it all. Manual labor clears my mind. I totally dig it. (Get it?) I decided that the tomato plant that struggles for existence is worth it because it yields delicious fruit, while a weed bears things of little importance. Doesn’t it seem like another way of saying the best things in life are worth the struggle and the fight? Doesn’t it always feel better to earn something you worked hard for, rather than accept something that dropped into your lap? Say yes.
I’m telling myself the struggle and mess required of baking homemade Christmas gifts are worth it because they mean so much more than a store-bought something or other. Someone please verify that this is true, and while you’re at it, please send someone to deal with all of these dishes.
Don’t you love this time of year?
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
- ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 large egg white
- ½ cup flour
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 tablespoon molasses (not blackstrap)
- 2 tablespoons boiling water
- Preheat the oven to 350, and grease a mini loaf pan (5″ x 3″ x 2″).
- In a medium bowl, stir together with a spatula the butter and brown sugar. Mash the butter into the sugar with the spatula until the mixture is incorporated. Add the egg white and stir to combine.
- Sprinkle on top the flour, spices, and baking soda. Stir it together lightly before adding a tablespoon of molasses. Add 1 tablespoon of boiling water after the molasses (do it in this order to help clean out your spoon so you ensure you get every drop of molasses). Add the remaining tablespoon of molasses followed by the last of the water.
- Scrape the batter into the mini loaf pan and place it onto a sheet pan. Bake for 33-40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out with only moist crumbs clinging to it. Cool it slightly in the pan before tipping it out and letting it cool completely on a wire rack.
oh christina, this was a great post! i looove that you’re into agriculture as a weed specialist… it’s so cool! and the way that you found a life lesson in your work is just perfect
<3 you!
your mini gingerbread bread (hehe) is seriously cute. i think that homemade gifts are so great & mean so much more. i've always made cookie tins for my friends… totally worth it! have an awesome weekend!
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I love this metaphor. I definitely think homemade is more rewarding than storebought. Be that because of the effort or the love put into it, I’m certain it means more to the receiver, too. That little gingerbread loaf looks adorable and delicious. I was just trying to decide on something to take with me to a meeting with some former coworkers next week, and this might be just the thing.
Next time I’m out pulling weeds from around my lettuce, carrots and broccoli I’ll think of this and smile.
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I didn’t even know you could specialize in weeds! My dad went to med school and became a surgeon, then ended up as an agronomist. I’m sure you two would have a lot to talk about if you met
I’m making homemade christmas gifts too this year, baked goods and liquor for all!
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Love this recipe, Christina! I had no idea you could major in weeds…you need to school me. As far as homemade gifts, they are a must! I just love making my own gifts for friends and neighbors.
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Show those weeds who is boss!! This is another example of why I still need to buy a mini loaf pan. I return to the bay area on sunday, we must have a foodie meet up soon!
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your loaf is adorable…the pics are fabulous. Im sure I’ll be seeing it on all the food sites…and fab recipe.
mmmmm, I love gingerbread!
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I loved this life-lesson metaphor! It truly is amazing how much we can learn from doing simple, everyday tasks if we look deeper! Thank you for sharing this one!
I like to think that home-made are much more appreciated as well. I know that I would be personally blown-away if I was given a home-made gift… but that’s probably because I appreciate the work that went into it as a home-made gift-giver myself!
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For someone who claims they don’t like taking pictures, you sure do take *beautiful* ones! Mmmm
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Adorable!!
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Great pic of that cute little gingerbread loaf! Homemade Christmas gifts are totally worth it.
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oh this is exactly the thing I needed to hear right now. I just literally got off the phone with my mom in almost stress induced tears from talking and thinking about all the gifts I still have to make everyone. I hate shopping for material things for family. Everyone has what they need and honestly, I just can’t bring myself to buy my dad another sweater for the 15th year in a row. So, I decided I’m making homemade gifts. Good lord it’s a lot of work though! But yes, worth it
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wow, only 2 tbsp of butter in an entire mini loaf.. looks awesome. this would taste so amazing with some tea for breakfast. love love love your blog!
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Your little loaf is gorgeous and gingerbread is such a good flavour for this time of year. I love making homemade gifts for christmas – if you love cooking and baking it’s so much fun to share your treats with friends
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Loved your phrase “manual labor clears my mind.” I’ll remember that next time I’m doing dishes
— wish I could help you with yours!
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Ahh! Super cute!
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beautiful, Christina! i love gingerbread — I definitely want to make this this holiday
I can already taste it!
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Love these mini loaves for gifts.
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i always wondered about weeds too (and, by the way, took several horticulture courses in my Restaurant and Hotel Management degree) and i completely agree!
oh, and the gingerbread loaves look AH-mazing…duh
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You are MORE than welcome to come pull my weeds. And then feed me this loaf.
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I love that your specialty is weed management! That must be so interesting. I’m sitting here in my 700-square-foot city apt. and wishing I had a garden to pull weeds from!
These gingerbread loafs are adorable and definitely make the perfect holiday gift!
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Great post! You are a really good writer Christina!
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Really great post. Weeds always have it easier–isn’t this a metaphor for life? Good thing the good ones take the time to put the work into love and relationships. Happy holidays!
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Ohh…these look incredible!
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I definitely think homemade Christmas gifts are the best!
Love ya!
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You are completely right! And I’d come help you with the dishes if I could bake with you too:-)
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the best things in life are worth the struggle, well said. Life is hectic lately, but so sweetly worth it. thanks for another sweet treat!
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Wow! I can almost imagine how good this must taste. Thank u for sharing this. Have a great day.
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Love it! Imagine an actual Ginger “bread”!
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I am trying to make this recipe now and realized you left the egg white out of the instructions. I put it in with the butter at the beginning. Hope it turns out ok!
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Christina Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 1:29 pm
Oh no, Jenny! So sorry! I fixed it. Add it before the flour & spices! So sorry! :/
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Jenny Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 4:42 pm
No problem – thanks for updating! Great recipe!
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I made a little loaf this morning and it’s delicious! Thanks so much.
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[...] gingerbread loaves following the super easy recipe from Dessert for Two. I love this blog for dessert recipes for only one or two [...]
Hello! Yummy recipe — moist and spicy — delicious. I doubled the recipe (using 1 whole egg instead of 2 egg whites) — one loaf for us and one to give away. Rave reviews all around. Merry Chistmas and Happy New Year!
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