Eliza Leslie's Lafayette Gingerbread

Before Hawaii: a story and recipe from The Baking Wizard!

This spicy gingerbread has an especially light and tender texture.

What is the History of Lafayette Gingerbread?

This gingerbread recipe comes from Eliza Leslie's last cookbook, Miss Leslie's New Cookery Book (1857).  In the nineteenth century, many baked goods were named in honor of the famous Lafayette.  The Revolutionary War general, Lafayette had died long before her book appeared.

This spicy gingerbread has an especially light and tender texture. Serve the cake warm (fabulous!) or at room temperature. It is divine with a spoon of softly whipped cream.