L'aura del Campo

Gingerbread Man [39]

For June '22 "Invalid Item" 

Gingerbread, gingerbread, Gingerbread Man
Bake me a cake as fast as you can.

Gingerbread Man

         in a slow rattling whisper

Use unsalted butter —
and unsulphured molasses, they say;
but — life is bittersweet.
Add blackstrap, mind the boiling water,
forget the grimaces on that kiddie's face —
more for me.

Is your hair still red?
Even better —
add a snip or two.
Make sure you have enough baking soda —
before you begin.
Substitute two small eggs
if yours aren't large enough.

Did you find the cloves?
They've been hidden behind the cinnamon
since last time — oh so long ago.
I missed you, your freckles, that crooked leg —
sorry about the dog.

Whisk it up in a bowl.
My arms don't have the strength —
they're always sore. Bake until its done,
then slice a fresh hot piece.
Too bad you're just a cookie —
or I'd ask for more.

© Copyright 2022 Kåre Enga [179.39] (30.juni.2022)

24 lines, free verse

Recipe by Once Upon a Chef (Jenn Segal) found on-line:

1½ cups all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off with back edge of knife
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
⅔ cup packed dark brown sugar
⅔ cup mild-flavored molasses, such as Grandma's Original (not Robust or Blackstrap)
⅔ cup boiling water
1 large egg

Begin by combining the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon and cloves in a large bowl. Whisk to combine and set aside.

Melt the butter in a large microwave-safe bowl.

Whisk in the brown sugar, molasses, and boiling water. When the mixture is lukewarm, whisk in the egg. (If the mixture is too hot, it will cook the egg.)

Add the dry ingredients.

Whisk until there are no more lumps.

Pour into pan.

Bake for about 35 minutes.