Gingerbread Stuffing

Name: Gingerbread Stuffing
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 1 lb loaf of rustic bread, cubed; 1/2 cup unsalted butter; 1 cup diced onion; 1 cup diced celery; 1 tbsp minced garlic; 2 tsp ground ginger; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/2 tsp ground cloves; 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg; 1/4 cup molasses; 1/4 cup brown sugar; 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley; 1/2 cup dried cranberries (optional)

🕒 Prep: 15 min

🔥 Cook: 35 min

🍽 Serves: 8

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Welcome to a warm and aromatic adventure with this Gingerbread Stuffing recipe! Perfect for the holiday season, this dish brings a delightful twist to your traditional stuffing with its rich spices and subtle sweetness.

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Ingredients for Gingerbread Stuffing

Bread: The foundation of our stuffing, providing texture and structure. Use a rustic loaf for the best results.

Butter: Adds richness and flavor, helping to sauté the vegetables to perfection.

Onion and Celery: Classic aromatic vegetables that provide a savory base and a bit of crunch.

Garlic: Enhances flavor with its bold, aromatic punch.

Ground Ginger, Cinnamon, Cloves, and Nutmeg: These spices create the characteristic gingerbread flavor, making this stuffing special.

Molasses and Brown Sugar: Add a hint of sweetness to balance the savory elements.

Broth: Moistens the stuffing and infuses it with flavor, ensuring it’s not too dry.

Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the flavors.

Fresh Parsley: Offers a burst of color and fresh flavor.

Dried Cranberries: Optional, but they add a nice tart contrast and a pop of color.

Tips & Tricks

Use day-old bread; it absorbs flavors better than fresh.
Taste your broth mixture before combining with bread to adjust seasoning as needed.
For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

Serving Suggestions

This gingerbread stuffing pairs beautifully with roast turkey or chicken. It also complements a glazed ham or a hearty vegetarian roast. For a complete meal, serve it alongside mashed potatoes and steamed green beans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this stuffing ahead of time?: Yes, you can prepare it up to the baking step, refrigerate overnight, and then bake it before serving.
What if I don’t have molasses?: You can substitute honey or maple syrup, though the flavor will change slightly.

Gingerbread Stuffing Recipe Walkthrough

First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take your rustic bread and cube it into bite-sized pieces. Spread these cubes on a baking sheet, and bake them for about 10 minutes until they’re lightly toasted. This step ensures they’ll absorb all the delicious flavors without turning into mush. Once toasted, set them aside.

Now, grab a large skillet and melt the butter over medium heat. Toss in the diced onion, celery, and the garlic. Sauté these for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft and fragrant.

Time to add the spices — stir in the ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Let them cook for another 2 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when your kitchen starts smelling like a holiday wonderland.

Next, pour in the molasses and brown sugar, stirring everything until it’s well combined. Then, add the broth, salt, and pepper and bring it all to a simmer.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the toasted bread cubes with the spicy broth mixture. Toss everything until the bread is well coated. You want each cube to soak up those amazing flavors. Gently fold in the fresh parsley and the dried cranberries if you’re using them.

Transfer this delightful mix into a greased baking dish. Cover it with foil and bake in your preheated oven for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and let it bake for another 10-15 minutes until the top is golden brown and delicious.

Serve your gingerbread stuffing warm as a side dish, and enjoy the compliments from your guests!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Aromatic spices create a cozy, festive vibe.
Easy to prepare — perfect for busy holiday kitchens.
Offers a unique twist on a classic, sure to impress guests.
Flexible ingredients to suit different diets and preferences.

Ingredients

1 lb loaf of rustic bread, cubed

1/2 cup unsalted butter

1 cup diced onion

1 cup diced celery

1 tbsp minced garlic

2 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1/4 cup molasses

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 cups chicken or vegetable broth

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

1/2 cup dried cranberries (optional)

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Spread the cubed bread on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes until lightly toasted. Set aside.

3. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and garlic, and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes.

4. Stir in the ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, cooking for another 2 minutes until fragrant.

5. Add the molasses and brown sugar, stirring until well combined.

6. Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.

7. In a large mixing bowl, combine the toasted bread cubes and the skillet mixture. Toss until the bread is well coated.

8. Fold in the fresh parsley and dried cranberries if using.

9. Transfer the stuffing to a greased baking dish and cover with foil.

10. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the top is golden brown.

11. Serve warm as a side dish.

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