This old fashioned gingerbread recipe became a Fall tradition in our home about seven years ago after studying the Civil War. I am grateful for the meaningful way God has blessed us to be able to learn. Not to mention, how He provides so simply and yet so powerfully. It was a fairly old fashioned children’s book we borrowed from the library, in pure simplicity where we gathered on the couch to read, during the coziness of the Fall season. And this incredible recipe pulled right out of the book, with an old fashioned, black and white picture of a mother and son baking together. And we got to do the same. Making and baking memories. School is far beyond academics. Joy in living and learning.
But, what does gingerbread have to do with the Civil War? Our sons could tell. And they did as I quizzed them before dessert tonight.
Answer: Hospital Gingerbread during the Civil War. Gingerbread was a comfort food often offered to wounded soldiers in field hospitals by the nurses who cared for them.
Gingerbread was one of the most popular desserts in the 1860’s. This recipe has changed very little since Civil War times.
Civil War Gingerbread Cake Recipe
Ingredients:
1/2 C. Butter
1 Cup Sugar
2 eggs
3/4 Cup Boiling Water
3/4 Cup Molasses
2 1/2 Cups Flour
2 tsp. Baking Powder
1/2 tsp. Salt
2 tsp. powdered ginger
1. Allow the butter and eggs to reach room temperature before you begin
2. Preheat oven to 350 deg.
3. Grease a 9 x 9 inch baking dish
4. Place butter and sugar in bowl and mix until creamy
5. Add the two eggs and beat
6. Pour the boiling water into bowl and mix. Then add the molasses.
7. Slowly stir in flour, baking soda, salt, and ginger.
8. Pour into butter pan and bake for 35-40 minutes.
Test by poking a toothpick in center of cake. When the toothpick comes out clean, it is done.
9. Serve with ice cream or whip cream
“Every good and perfect gift comes from above” – “Taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man who trusts in Him” ~
(James 1:17, Ps. 34:8)
