Looks like I'm in baking mode today! Got this "pain d'epices" (honey spice loaf) out of the oven earlier this morning, and it smells amazing in the house...
The recipe I've used is from one of my favourite food bloggers /cookbook-authors, Clotilde Dusoulier from ChocolateAndZucchini.com fame. Formerly based in San Francisco, Clotilde has been living in Paris for the past 5 years or so, blogging and cooking up a storm.
I really love her creative, simple-to-execute recipes. They just "scream" Paris to me, so I quite often turn to her cookbooks when I feel like cooking something from home. The icing on the cake? Her blog and cookbooks are available in both English and French. If you love cooking, I highly recommend you have a look!
PAIN D'EPICE recipe - From "Chocolate & Zucchini" by Clotilde Dusoulier
2 teaspoons vegetable oil to grease the pan
375ml milk (1.5 cups)
200g good-quality honey (2/3 cup)
95g mild-flavored dark molasses (1/3 cup)
120g all-purpose flour (1 cup)
120g whole wheat flour (1 cup)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 teaspoon each ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, and ground ginger
Optional: 1/4 cup finely diced candied ginger or candied orange peel, or a mix of the two [I use candied ginger]
*Make the loaf a day ahead to give the flavor time to develop.
1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C (350 degrees F). Grease the bottom and sides of a 24 x 12cm (9x5") loaf pan with oil, and line the bottom with parchment paper.
2. Combine the milk, honey, and molasses in a small saucepan. Set over medium heat and heat the mixture without boiling, stirring with a spatula until dissolved. Set aside and let cool as you go on with the recipe.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices. In a small bowl, combine the ginger and/or orange peel, if using, with 2 teaspoons of the flour mixture and set aside.
4. Form a well in the center of the flour mixture. Pour in the milk mixture slowly and whisk in a circular motion, starting from the center, until all of the flour has been incorporated - the batter will be thin. Fold in the ginger/orange peel if using. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until the surface is brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
5. Transfer to a rack and cool for 20 minutes. Run a knife along the sides of the pan to loosen the loaf, and unmold. Let cool completely, wrap in foil, and let rest at room temperature until the next day.
OMG that is like love in a cake. Add dates and I am there!!
Posted by: ShaynnaB | 05/07/2010 at 10:41 AM
Ohh dates, sounds super yummy Shaynna! I'll need to try that one day...
Posted by: Myriam | 05/07/2010 at 05:28 PM
A slice of that right now would go down a treat, looks lovely.
Posted by: Bellyrumbles | 05/10/2010 at 09:16 PM
Such a beautiful loaf! I can already imagine the fragrance!
Posted by: Anh | 05/11/2010 at 09:27 AM
Anh > oh yes, the best fragrance in the house, with ginger, nutmeg, clove, honey... Still salivating at the memory!
BellyRumbles > Ah ah, thank you!
Posted by: Myriam | 05/12/2010 at 09:17 PM