I love sitting by the Christmas tree in the evenings. Dim the lights, turn the fireplace on, and sit by the tree, soft white lights reflecting off our eclectic collection of ornaments. All is calm. All is bright.
These quiet moments by the tree are often reflecting times for me. This year has no shortage of things to reflect on; what a year it has been. If 2020 taught me anything it’s that life is better in community. We were created to crave community. Sharing your life with others, caring for each other in the valleys and celebrating on the mountaintops. There were times this year we wished we could grieve in person, not over the phone. To wrap those we love in a full, tearful, embrace. Times we wished we could celebrate the happy times and share in each other’s joy. Cheers a glass and share a meal.
My soul grieved not being able to be with my friends and family this year. But in this season of Advent, I cling to my faith that tells me Jesus is my hope and peace. We have not been alone this year. Jesus, Emmanuel, is God With Us, and that give me comfort. I have hope that 2021 will bring us all together in person and we can gather together again.
Merry Christmas!
Ingredients:
Gingerbread Bundt Cake
2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pan
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp ground dried ginger
1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
1-1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger
1/4 cup canola oil
3 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup fancy molasses
1/4 cup honey
1 cup buttermilk
Eggnog Glaze 4 oz. cream cheese, softened 1 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened 1-1/2 cups icing (confectioner’s) sugar 2 to 3 Tbsp store-bought eggnog 1/2 tsp vanilla extract or bourbon pinch, ground nutmeg
Garnish
Cranberries dusted with icing sugar
Fresh sprigs of rosemary
Instructions:
Gingerbread Bundt Cake 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 10-cup capacity Bundt pan with butter and coat with a thin layer of flour. Set aside. 2. For the dry ingredients, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, dried ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Set aside. 3. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a large bowl and hand mixer), add the butter and mix on medium speed for a couple of minutes until smooth. Add the sugar and fresh ginger. Mix on medium-high until light and fluffy, about 2 to 4 minutes. 4. With the mixer on low, add in the oil, then the eggs one at a time. Add the vanilla, molasses and honey and mix until combined. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl. 5. With the mixer on low, add half of the reserved dry ingredients and mix until incorporated. Next, stream in the buttermilk and mix until combined. Finally, add the remaining dry ingredients. Mix on medium speed no more than 30 seconds after the last streaks of flour are combined, or until smooth. 6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Tap the bottom of the pan on the countertop a couple times to release any air pockets. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a long wooden skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. If the batter begins to rise too high, place a baking sheet in the bottom of the pan to catch any drips. 7. Cool the cake in the pan on a wire rack for 15 to 20 minutes. Gently slide a flexible rubber spatula around the rim of the cake, but resist sliding it too far down or it may damage the sides of the cake. Place a large cutting board or cooling rack on top of the cake. Using oven mitts, hold the cake pan and cutting board together. Carefully invert everything and remove the pan. Cool completely. Do not allow the cake to completely cool in the pan or it may get stuck. Meanwhile, make the glaze.
Eggnog Glaze 1. In a mixing bowl, stir together the cream cheese and butter with a wooden spoon until well combined. Gradually stir in the icing sugar and mix until incorporated.
2. Add the eggnog, vanilla and nutmeg, and then stir until smooth. The glaze should be rather thick but still able to drip slowly off of a spoon; add more eggnog, as needed, until it does.
Assembly
1. Spoon the glaze over the cooled cake. Decorate with sugared cranberries, rosemary, fresh flowers or as desired. Slice and serve.
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