Chocolate Gingerbread

INGREDIENTS

• 1-3/4 cups plus 3 tablespoons sifted all-purpose flour
• 2-1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¾ teaspoon ground allspice
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
  
• ¼ cup SCHARFFEN BERGER unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2/3 cup boiling water
• 10 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs at room temperature
• ½ cup unsulphured molasses

• 1 cup heavy cream for whipping
  
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (optional)

PREPARATION

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the bottom and sides of an 8-inch square baking pan. Dust with flour and tap out the excess.

In a medium bowl, use a wire whisk to stir together the flour, ginger, baking powder, cinnamon, allspice, baking soda and salt.

Put the cocoa powder in a small bowl. Stir in 1/3 cup boiling water and whisk until smooth.

In an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the molasses, then the cocoa mixture. Reduce the speed and mix in half the flour mixture until just well-combined. Beat in the remaining 1/3 cup boiling water, then the remaining flour mixture. Do not overbeat.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until a cake tester or toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out dry and clean.

Set the gingerbread on a wire rack to cool slightly.

If desired, serve with whipped cream. In a chilled bowl using a hand-held mixer or a wire whisk, beat the cream and sugar (optional) until the mixture forms soft peaks. Do not overbeat.

Cut the gingerbread into squares and serve warm, with a dollop of the whipped cream.