HAPPY NATIONAL LEON DAY!!
In case you’re wondering, Leon = Noel spelled backward, making today, June 25th, exactly six months ’tillllll (drum roll please) Christmas! (But who’s counting?!)
And what’s more ‘Christmas’ than Sticky Gingerbread with Orange Icing?
Guys, I know I said I’d only be posting once a week during the summer, and this is now my third post this week, but sometimes things require that we break our own rules. Are you with me? I mean – six months ’til Christmas….I couldn’t resist!
Leon Day is a day that some crafters begin planning their homemade gifts and decorations. Now, I’m not much of a crafter – though I’ve tried my hand at little country hat refrigerator magnets and there have been others over the years…card-stamping, calligraphy…but nothing that has really stuck. So, instead of a glue gun, I rolled out the baking pans, parchment paper, molasses and ginger…this is more my idea of getting ready!
I had the idea to post on Leon Day back in May. I was doing a little research and came across a recipe for Thanksgiving Turkey, which, upon reading, filled my stomach with butterflies. So of course I had to text My Ladies aka Lauren and Chels, to report my reaction and to ask if I was crazy. To which they replied, “No, that just gave me butterflies!!” said Chels. While Luc followed with, “No, it’s amazing! The other day I heard a Christmas song and I got a little too excited about it!” So, you see, I am not crazy and the apples don’t fall far from the tree!
Sticky Gingerbread with Orange Icing is, in my mind, the quintessential holiday dessert. I mean, when I think of old-fashioned Christmases (which I love to do) and the nostalgic aromas that are attached to my vision of hearth and home and real trees and strung popcorn and glass bulbs and cranberry punch – the aromas of sweet cinnamon and warm spices are front and center…
The main ingredients for this ultimate dessert hold the secret to its amazing flavor…butter, molasses, dark corn syrup, dark brown sugar, fresh and ground gingers and cinnamon…
Now, I don’t want the list of ingredients to scare you. It might be lengthy but the hardest part of this recipe for me, was trying to read it without my reading glasses (cough). Once you have everything lined up on your counter, it’s pretty foolproof.
I will note, please make sure to whip the icing for as long as the recipe suggests. This is the creamiest cream cheese frosting you’ll ever have. And I promise you’ll never not whip your icing for seven minutes again. With its citrusy notes and tiny bursts of orange zest – you’ll be hard-pressed to keep from eating it before you need it. Let’s just say the icing alone is a lesson in self-restraint.
The other note I have is not to worry if the batter is very liquid. It will be and still bakes up beautifully.
So whether you’re serving this for dessert, enjoying a piece with a cup of coffee while writing Christmas cards, or just indulging in a little ‘me’ time during the havoc of the holidays…this gingerbread will serve you well.
Buon Appetito!
PS) Please check out my Holiday themed Pinterest boards! Lots of great ideas for entertaining and decorating!
Print
Sticky Gingerbread with Orange Icing
- Category: Dessert
Ingredients
- 1 stick plus 3 Tbsp. butter
- 3/4 cup dark corn syrup
- 3/4 cup molasses
- 2/3 cup packed soft dark brown sugar
- 2 tsp finely grated fresh ginger
- 1 tsp. ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 eggs, beaten to mix
- 1 tsp. baking soda, dissolved in 2 Tbsp. warm water
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- Orange Icing
- 8 oz. softened cream cheese
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp. orange extract
- Zest of one orange
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Line a 13×9 baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a saucepan, over low heat, melt the butter with the corn syrup, molasses, brown sugar, fresh and ground gingers and cinnamon.
- Take off the heat, add the milk, eggs and baking soda. Stir to combine.
- In a large mixing bowl, place the flour then add the liquid ingredients.
- Beat until well mixed. It will be a very liquid batter.
- Pour mix into prepared pan and bake for 45-60 minutes until risen and firm on top.
- Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let gingerbread cool.
- For the icing, place cream cheese in a large bowl and using an electric mixer, beat for 2 minutes.
- Add the powdered sugar and mix on low speed until it comes together.
- Turn the mixer to high and beat for another 4-5 minutes.
- Add the orange extract along with the orange zest and gently mix through.
- Once the cake is cooled, ice, slice and enjoy!
{Recipe adapted from Nigella Lawson}
CIAO!
I love this post! I’m all up for celebrating Christmas any time of the year and think we should celebrate once a month. LOL! Moist gingerbread is one of my favs and I love the orange icing you added on top. I’m making this now and again at Christmas 🙂
Thank you, Karrie!! Hey – if every six months we need a gingerbread fix – I see nothing wrong with that! 😉 And now, we have a good reason!! 🙂
This looks so good! I totally missed it! Only 6 months until Christmas? Time flies!
Hahah! Only 6 months! Thanks for stopping by, friend! 🙂
Yummy! This looks so good. Can’t believe only 6 months left for Christmas. This just made my day!
Hahah! So glad to make your day, Mary Francis!! That’s how I always feel too when I have a reminder of the holidays!! 🙂
I never heard of this day, but if I could have a piece of that cake, I’d celebrate it more tha once a year.
Hey – how ’bout we celebrate on the 25th of every month? Sounds like a good plan to me! Thank you, friend! 🙂
Ok, I’ve never heard of this day before, but I’m all for it because I love Christmas. I have a pair of Christmas slippers I wear around the house all year long because Christmas is awesome. I’m not quite at an “Elf” level yet, but give me time. ?
This is everything I want in a Christmas dessert. You just really can’t beat “sticky” and “gingerbread”!
Girl after my own heart! I see “Elf” in your very near future!! You’re almost there!! Yeah – you can’t beat ‘sticky’ and ‘gingerbread’, winter – spring – summer – fall! Thanks, friend!! 🙂
I’ve got to admit….it’s too early for me to start planning for Christmas! I always wish I was better prepared by the time Christmas rolls around……but I need a few more months. This gingerbread looks like one I will be baking….in December 🙂
There you go! This is a great addition to any holiday meal…you can’t believe the aroma while it bakes…so beautifully fragrant…you won’t notice the snow that’s falling…in December! Thanks, friend! 🙂
Okay, I had no idea this holiday even existed. Wow, am I behind. But if it gives me an excuse to make gingerbread treats in June, I’m all in! This looks amazing. And that icing…wow.
Hahah! I can’t remember when I learned about it – but for the past three years I’ve wanted to do a post and finally remembered to do it! This is a keeper! Thanks, friend!
never heard of Leon Day but I am always up for all these warm flavors in desserts, sounds amazing Annie!
I’m with you…molasses and dark brown sugar work anytime of year! Thanks, friend! 🙂
How did I miss this post??! I saw it on FB, but I thought it was a throw back! lol. I’m blonde. And i have never heard of Leon Day before, so thank you for the introduction! I’m not a crafter either, so your idea of crafting in the kitchen sounds perfect to me! LOVE this twist on sticky buns!! Sticky gingerbread? YES! WITH orange icing??! Double YES! I’m up for making every day leon day with these!! Cheers, friend! xo
I can totally see that! I threw you a curveball! It’s fun to do that every once in a while! Yes to sticky gingerbread and orange icing! So so good! Thank you, friend! xo
Leon day? I have never heard about that. But what a wonderful way to remind ourselves that Christmas is only 6 months away! Cheers to that! 🙂 And this sticky gingerbread with orange icing is making me drool. Loving it, Annie!
Cheers to that! Oh yeahhh! Thank you, my friend! 🙂
Happy National Leon Day right back at ya! Oh wow… I thought I was a bit over-the-top for counting down the days until Halloween. Now I KNOW why we’re friends. 😉 Okay, let me set my timer for counting down to Christmas too. <3 Love that you posted this right when I was feeling down about summer being halfway over. Now there's something even better to look forward to! Woot woot! Now, if I could just get you to bring over a large, LARGE tray of this sticky gingerbread deliciousness…? Have a great week, my friend! Pinning, naturally. 🙂
Hahahha! You’re like my sister…I think Halloween is really her Christmas! She decorates bigger than anyone I know! So happy this made your day! This cake will do that to a person! Thank you, friend!
I am seriously freaking out right now, Annie! Love this! Leon Day? How awesome is that? You have me all gitty with excitement here on this Monday morning. I love Summer, but Christmas is so AWESOME! This recipe has the holidays written all over it. Sticky gingerbread with orange icing? Gimme. Pinning, of course! I don’t know if I can wait for Christmas to make this so may have to try real soon 🙂
I hear you! I LOVE summer, too – but a little Christmas in summer – that’s not a bad idea! thank you, my friend! Enjoy!!
Ahhh I’ve never actually heard of “Leon day” but now I totally get it! Such a fun reminder that we’re now less than six months away from Christmas! This gingerbread looks SO good, Annie! Especially with that orange icing!
It just sneaks up on us!! I thought a little reminder might do us all good! hahah 😉 Thank you, friend! 🙂
So, I’ve never heard of Leon day until today?! But I’m so going to start celebrating it because I love food like this anytime of year. This gingerbread looks like the perfect way to celebrate, Annie!
This cake is such a treat!!! And I could eat the frosting by the spoonful! Thanks, friend!
All that molasses and the spices add up to holiday magic. The frosting had me as I’m a sucker for that. Load it on! I’ve never heard of Leon Day, thanks for sharing this Annie. 🙂
Yeah…it’s a really big day for crafters – but I just decided I wanted in on the fun! And that frosting – forget about it! Thank you, my friend! 🙂
Sugar and spice and everything nice! It’s treats like this that really make the holidays for me. And now you’re telling me there’s a perfectly good reason for me to get my fill mid-year! YES!!! This looks so amazing, Annie! And that orange icing… just give me the spoon now so I can lick the bowl!
Yep! Isn’t that great?! We can totally justify gingerbread and Christmas shopping and all the things! 😉 Thanks, friend!
Oh my goodness when I think of how fast the last 6 months have gone by Christmas will be here in the blink of an eye, lol . ?. This recipe was a nice surprise, so holidayish but also warm and inviting. This got me a little excited for Christmas. Take care!
I know – it really can slow down now! There’s just something about this year – I’m exceptionally excited about the holidays… Who am I kidding? I’m aways excited…like a kid! Thank you, friend! 🙂
I was wondering about the Christmas plates but today is my youngest son’s birthday. He was always the one who absolutely loved Christmas not so much the presents but the wrapping and unwrapping. For years all he needed were some boxes, newspaper and tape. For hours he would wrap and unwrap presents. His older brother and sister, as they all got older, would give him their presents to wrap. He doesn’t wrap any more — his wife does it for them. Back on track, your gingerbread looks delicious!! I love the taste and aroma — heavenly! I’m NOT ready for Christmas in six months 🙂
That is the cutest story! I’m definitely a fan of wrapping and unwrapping! 😉 So glad you like! Thanks, friend! 🙂
No way! Only 6 months till Christmas?!? I gotta get ready with my baking, too! ? I am so loving your sticky gingerbread and more so the orange icing! I’d want a piece right now, those are flavors I like all year round. So glad you broke the rule and posted this beauty!
Hahaha! Only 6 months! Can you believe it? Where does the time go?? This was a yummy one to break the rules for! Thanks, hon! 🙂