Comments on: Mary Washington’s 1784 Gingerbread Cake

By: Jackie Garvin

Jackie Garvin — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 16:01:49 +0000

Kathy,

I remember Stage Planks but I’m unsure of Bear Track Tea Cake. If I run across a recipe, I will let you know.

Thank you for supporting Syrup and Biscuits. We’re mighty proud you visited.

By: Kathy Hunt

Kathy Hunt — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 15:56:57 +0000

Hello Jackie, I enjoy your recipes. Have you ever heard of a recipe called Old Fashioned Gingerbread AKA Bear Track Tea Cake which in the south were sold back in the 1900 or earlier at your local convenient stores , they were sold as a plank cake next to Stage Plank they were spicy/molasses and oh so good. Please share should you have a recipe. Look forward to hearing from you.

By: Jackie Garvin

Jackie Garvin — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 16:21:43 +0000

In reply to Pat House. Pat? You can substitute one or two tablespoons of vanilla extract.

By: Pat House

Pat House — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 16:02:09 +0000

We don’t drink and never have alcohol in the house. Anything I can substitute for the Brandy?

By: Jackie Garvin

Jackie Garvin — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 15:32:30 +0000

In reply to ROSE COUCH. Rose, Absolutely! I will sign you up. You can expect to get a confirmation email shortly.

By: ROSE COUCH

ROSE COUCH — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 00:38:16 +0000

LOVE YOUR WEEBSIGHT–COULDI GET ON YOUR E-MAILS? ROSE COUCH—rosem@knology.net

By: Jackie Garvin

Jackie Garvin — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 13:46:46 +0000

In reply to Mrs. Hite. Mrs. Hite, I substituted an equal amount of nutmeg.

By: Jackie Garvin

Jackie Garvin — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 13:33:03 +0000

In reply to Girl from Texas.

Girl from Texas,

While I loves staying authentic with recipe ingredients, I’m not the least bit ashamed to use modern appliances. My KitchenAide stand mixer is one of my favorites. I waited a long time to get it and have certainly gotten my money’s worth out of it. Using ingredients that I had on hand is one thing I do regularly. If I can find a substitute that will not alter the taste or texture substantially and keeps me from buying something that sits in my cabinet until it expires and then gets tossed out, I’m happy to do it.

By: Girl from Texas

Girl from Texas — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 23:56:57 +0000

I like your idea of using alternate spices…don’t particularly like Mace. Will have to try your recipe…including the use of the “mixer”. Not too sure they had that appliance back then, tho.

By: Mrs. Hite

Mrs. Hite — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 01:35:23 +0000

Could I ask how much mace was called for in the original recipe as I do have it and would like to try it both ways.

By: Jackie Garvin

Jackie Garvin — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 01:50:28 +0000

In reply to Joyce T..

Joyce,

I have been on this website but forgot about it. Thanks for the nudge.

Blessings to you all.

By: Jackie Garvin

Jackie Garvin — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 01:49:42 +0000

In reply to Anna Flink. Anna, I hope you enjoy the cake with your family this Christmas. Blessings to you all.

By: Jackie Garvin

Jackie Garvin — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 01:48:42 +0000

In reply to Pat Rushing.

Pat,

I substituted an equal amount of nutmeg for the original amount of mace.
Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones. 🙂

By: Pat Rushing

Pat Rushing — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 21:21:42 +0000

Since I use mace in an often-baked pound cake, I always have it on hand. Could you give us the original spice measurements? I love your site and have enjoyed many, many of your recipes. Thanks. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and happiness in the new year.

By: Anna Flink

Anna Flink — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 20:56:33 +0000

Recipe is made often around Fredericksburg, VA. George Washington was born, educated, lived as child near there. Mary Washington University is also there. This recipe looks really time-consuming, but I want to make it, and modify it a bit for my family. The times I have eaten it in Fredericksburg or Williamsburg I found it a bit too spicy, and know I need to adapt it for little grandchildren to try it. They all love stories of G.W. and actually walking around the areas in which he lived, and of course visiting Aunt Susie and old friends there.

By: Joyce T.

Joyce T. — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 14:16:24 +0000

You know there are recipes on the Mount Vernon website, also?

http://www.mountvernon.org/recipes

It has a recipe for Lafayette Gingerbread. It appears to be a traditional gingerbread. I’m looking forward to trying both recipes.

By: Jackie Garvin

Jackie Garvin — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 13:49:20 +0000

In reply to Mary Marshall. Thanks for sharing, Mary!

By: Mary Marshall

Mary Marshall — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 13:37:34 +0000

My elderly mother and my sister live in Fredericksburg, Va. I’ve seen this recipe before somewhere and it is delicious. Thanks for recreating it! Shared to my page.

By: motherwouldknow

motherwouldknow — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 18:34:28 +0000

Jackie, What a wonderful recipe and story. I love ginger every which way (even have a Pinterest board devoted to it) so this is right up my alley. Thanks for stopping by our Happy Holidays Link Party – be sure to join us again this week, beginning on Saturday at 7 pm ET.

By: Jackie Garvin

Jackie Garvin — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 02:05:11 +0000

In reply to Michele.

Michele,

It saddens me to know that you’re not able to cook and “do around in the kitchen” as much as you would like. I know how much food and kitchen memories mean to you. I wish I lived closer to you so I could help you in any way that you needed help in order to get back in the kitchen.

Michele, this cake is so good. It’s even better than I imagined it would be. I hope you can bake it with your friend’s help next week.

Merry Christmas, sweet Michele. May you receive all the good blessings of the season. I pray for good health for you in the coming year. 🙂