March.  A contrary month, but promising.  Still cold. Often blustery and muddy. Yet sprinkled with tiny harbingers of spring. That damp earthy smell.  A hyacinth just peeking out of the ground…

My birthday is in March.  Every year, I take a day around my birthday just to do things I want to do.  Watch a horror movie that has been on my list for a while.  Kick a few more zombies off roofs in Harran.  This year, feeling a little low and beaten up by “springing ahead” an hour, I wanted a comforting baked good to go with my horror binge.

Spicy gingerbread.  It so isn’t just for Christmas.  This recipe makes a moist, stunning little square cake.  Dark and rich with spices.  One-bowl easy and massively comforting.  Your whole house will smell amazing as this bakes.   I love it for breakfast, warmed up in the toaster oven and spread with cream cheese.  For you sweet people (tho’ I’m sure you’re all sweet!)  try it with the cream cheese frosting recipe below.  Really.  Think outside the Christmas box and you won’t be sorry.  You’ll be making spicy gingerbread to improve your mental outlook multiple times a year!

Continue reading →