Gingerbread makeover: The surprising addition of red beans
More people are seeking ideas for holiday baked goods that are not only sweet and tasty but also healthy. Last year, I tried gingerbread with beans, and this year, I'm making it again because it's even better than the traditional version.
7:13 AM EST, November 29, 2024
The addition of red beans gives the gingerbread the perfect consistency. The beans don't alter the cake's flavor but help maintain its moisture. Each bite melts in your mouth, allowing the spicy notes to stimulate your taste buds and delight your senses.
Why add red beans to gingerbread?
It's all about my family's health. Beans are rich in fiber, which regulates bowel function and helps maintain proper blood sugar levels. They are also a source of plant protein, supporting the basic building blocks of tissues, especially for vegetarians.
The wealth of B vitamins positively impacts the nervous system, and their antioxidant properties help fight free radicals.
Gingerbread spice from beans? Make your own mix
Sometimes I use a ready-made spice mix, but I've found that homemade gingerbread spice is often much better. It has a more intense flavor, greater depth, and aroma.
What's worth grinding in a mortar? Use cardamom seeds, cloves, 3 star anise, allspice, and a few black peppercorns. Mix this aromatic powder with ground cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
You can store the homemade gingerbread spice in a closed container for up to three months.
A simple recipe for gingerbread with red beans
If you want to bake gingerbread in a classic loaf pan, you will need the following ingredients:
- 14 oz all-purpose flour
- 0.7 oz canned red beans
- 1 banana
- 3.5 oz sugar
- 3.4 fl oz oil
- 1.5 tablespoons gingerbread spice
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Preparation
- Put the canned beans, banana, sugar, and oil into a blender and blend until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, mix the flour, gingerbread spice, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and a pinch of salt.
- Transfer the bean mixture to the dry ingredients and stir with a spoon.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Transfer the batter to a loaf pan lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for 50 minutes.
This healthy gingerbread can be sliced and layered with homemade plum jam. It tastes great drizzled with melted dark chocolate. Additionally, you can decorate it with ground nuts or almond flakes.
