Gingersnap Bars

 

Our family likes things spicy! I found this bar cookie recipe and we are all in LOVE. A batch of these doesn't usually last the day, especially if Papa Riddle is visiting. We like these because they have a crunchy outside and a soft, sweet spicy inside. Also...being a bar recipe it is easy to execute.

Gingersnap Bars

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon cloves
• 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 3/4 cup unflavored oil (I use avocado but vegetable, canola or grapeseed also work)
• 1 cup + 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon coarse decorating sugar, for sprinkling on top

NSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. Line a 9×13 glass baking dish with parchment paper.
2. In medium bowl, sift together flour, cloves, ginger, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda; set aside.
3. In a large bowl add the oil and sugar; whisk to combine. Whisk in egg and molasses, taking are not to over mix. Stir in the flour mixture just until flour is combined.
4. Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Use your hands to push the dough into the corners and evenly press the dough into the pan. Sprinkle evenly with coarse sugar.
5. Bake 22-25 minutes just until the cookie bars are cooked through. The edges will be golden and crispy and the center will be just sent. Take care not to over bake. Remove the bars from oven and let cool completely on a cooling rack. The bars will continue to cook in the pan while they cool. Cut into 24 slices.

Karidopita, Greek Walnut Cake

 

There was so much baking this Easter. We really got excited! One new recipe we tried this year was Karidopita, or Greek walnut cake. We had purchased a bulk bag of walnuts a while back and they really needed to be used. This recipe is a great way to feature walnuts without being overwhelming. My walnut-averse son loved this cake. The key is to really pulverize your wallnuts into a fine crumb. It keeps the cake moist and lends the beautiful nutty flavor. 

That is my finished soaking karidopita in the back :)

Karidopita, Greek Walnut Cake

Ingredients   

1 cup sugar
2 cups self raising flour
1 cup walnuts crushed coarsely (option to add another 1/4 of chunky walnuts pieces if you like more crunch)
6 eggs
1 tsp vanilla 
1 tsp cinnamon & 1 tsp clove ground
30 ml brandy
1 cup olive oil

Syrup
1.5 cup sugar
1.5 cup water
1 cinnamon stick
3 cloves
1/2 lemon juiced and the other half sliced

Directions:

1. To prepare the syrup, combine all the ingredients, bring to the boil and remove from the heat after 5 minutes. Allow to cool completely. Please note the sugar syrup must be completely cold to be used on the hot cake.
   
   
   
2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
3. Grease a  10 inch round cake tin with a little olive oil.
4. Combine eggs, oil, sugar, spices, brandy, walnuts and vanilla sugar, then gradually add flour. Mix for a few minutes until well combined.
5. Bake for approximately 25-30 minutes or until a golden colour.
6. Once the cake is ready, make some small holes on its surface with a skewer and pour the cooled syrup over the hot cake bit by bit, allowing each spoonful to be absorbed before proceeding with the next. It is essential that it absorbs well. The longer it stands, the better the result as it will soften even more.
7. Serve with ice-cream or a Greek coffee.