Ellens Gingerbread Tea Loaf

• unbleached all-purpose flour, sifted↗1 2⁄3 cups
• ground ginger↗1 teaspoon
• cardamom↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• ground black pepper↗1 pinch
• ground cloves↗1 pinch
• ground fennel1 pinch
• ground nutmeg↗1 pinch
• ground star anise1 pinch
• ground cinnamon↗1 teaspoon
• baking soda↗1 teaspoon
• salt↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• crystallized ginger, chopped to the size of chocolate chips, divided↗6 tablespoons
• unsalted butter, room temperature↗1⁄2 cup
• firmly-packed golden brown sugar1⁄2 cup
• granulated sugar↗1⁄2 cup
• extra-large eggs2
• tablespoon pure vanilla extract↗1
• tablespoons minced fresh ginger3
• cup nonfat milk (or buttermilk)↗1⁄2
• tablespoons nonfat plain yogurt (or sour cream)↗2
• Garnishs
• whipped cream↗
• seasonal berries

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. 2

   Prepare a 8 1/2- x 4 1/2-inch loaf pan (or Nordicware gingerbread loaf pan) with a non-stick baking spray.

3. 3

   Using some light brown sugar (or plain granulated sugar), dust the bottom and all sides of the pan, leaving a thin coating of the sugar.

4. 4

   In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, pepper, cloves, fennel, nutmeg, star anise, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.

5. 5

   Mix in 3 tablespoons of crystallized ginger; set aside.

6. 6

   Using an electric mixer with a large bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until light and creamy.

7. 7

   Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until well mixed.

8. 8

   Add the vanilla extract and the fresh ginger.

9. 9

   Slowly mix in 1/2 of the flour/spice mixture; then add milk and yogurt.

10. 10

    Add the remaining 1/2 of the flour/spice mixture; blend just until smooth. Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan.

11. 11

    Sprinkle the remaining 3 tablespoons of crystallized ginger over the top surface of the batter, pressing the ginger lightly into the batter.

12. 12

    Bake approximately 50 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

13. 13

    Remove from oven, let pan cool on a wire rack for ten minutes, and then turn cake out out of the loaf pan onto the wire rack to cool completely. When completely cool, using a fine mesh strainer, dust the top lightly with confectioners (powdered) sugar.

14. 14

    If desired, garnish with whipped cream and seasonal berries.