Mini gingerbread loaf in a mini loaf pan.
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.
Mini Gingerbread Loaf
Makes 1 mini loaf in a 5" x 3" x 2" pan
Ingredients
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 112Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 69mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 0gSugar: 7gProtein: 2g
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
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 :)
honeywhatscooking says
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!
thelittleloaf says
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 :-)
Kimby says
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!
Blog is the New Black says
Ahh! Super cute!
Julie @ Table for Two says
beautiful, Christina! i love gingerbread -- I definitely want to make this this holiday :) I can already taste it!
marla says
Love these mini loaves for gifts.
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
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 :)
Bev Weidner says
You are MORE than welcome to come pull my weeds. And then feed me this loaf.
Sues says
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!