Lighter gingerbread
Lighter gingerbread
This dark and sticky ginger cake is made healthier with naturally sweet dates, buttermilk and plenty of cinnamon and fresh ginger
- Cuts into 21 pieces
- Easy
Nutrition per serving
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Calories 116
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Carbohydrates 17.5
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Saturated Fat 0.4
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Sugar 8.6
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Protein 2
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Fat 4.1
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Fiber 0.7
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Salt 0.2
Ingredients
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140g dried pitted whole dates preferably Medjool, chopped into small pieces
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75ml rapeseed oil, plus a few drops for greasing
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75g black treacle
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50g maple syrup
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1 tsp finely grated fresh ginger
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1 large egg
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175ml buttermilk
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250g plain flour
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1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
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1 tbsp ground ginger
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½ tsp ground cinnamon
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50g dark muscovado sugar
Method
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Put the dates in a small bowl and pour over 125ml of boiling water. Leave to cool for 30 mins. Lightly oil a 28 x 19 x 3cm traybake tin, then line the base with baking parchment.
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Meanwhile, put the oil, black treacle, maple syrup and freshly grated ginger in a bowl and beat together with a fork to mix well. Set aside. Beat the egg in a small bowl and stir in the buttermilk. In a large bowl, mix the flour with the bicarbonate of soda, ground ginger, cinnamon and sugar – rub the mixture between your fingers to break down any lumpy bits of sugar. Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3.
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Blend the dates and their liquid to a thick purée in a small food processor. Pour the egg, the dates and the treacle mixture into the bowl with the flour. Stir together briefly with a wooden spoon just until well mixed – the mixture will be soft like a thick batter. Pour it into the lined tin, gently level the mixture and bake for 40-45 mins. To test if it’s done, insert a skewer in the centre – if the skewer comes out clean with no uncooked mixture on it, and the cake feels firm but springy to the touch, it should be done.
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Leave in the tin for a few mins before removing to a wire rack, peeling off the parchment and leaving to cool completely. If you can wait, wrap it well in parchment, then foil. Leave for a day before cutting, as it will become stickier – it will keep moist for 3-4 days.