Question for bakers of MeFi

September 8, 2019 11:27 AM

Hi folks! I'm going to make this bread minus the chocolate and would like to add a spice flavor to it. I'm thinking ginger, cinnamon, or something else warm. Two questions: (1) what spice would go well with this and (2) how much should I add to be able to taste it but not be overwhelmed by it. Thanks!
posted by KleenexMakesaVeryGoodHat to Food & Drink (12 answers total)

Best answer: Something like allspice, nutmeg, or mace might work well in that. Maybe even ground star anise could work (though it is strong so err on the light side with it).
posted by Fortran at 11:42 AM on September 8, 2019 [1 favorite]

Best answer: banana bread likes nutmeg (1/4 tsp: it's strong) or pumpkin pie spice mix (1 tsp.) If you do experiment with star anise go real easy, like 1/8 tsp.
posted by fingersandtoes at 11:48 AM on September 8, 2019 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: I think I'll try the nutmeg. Thanks!
posted by KleenexMakesaVeryGoodHat at 12:08 PM on September 8, 2019

Best answer: King Arthur Flour banana bread recipe: 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg.
posted by MonkeyToes at 12:10 PM on September 8, 2019 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I haven't baked a traditional Danish spice cake for years, even though I love it, but I looked up the recipe and these are the spices:
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger, powdered
1/2 tsp cloves, powdered
1 tsp cardamon, powered
1/2 tsp vanilla sugar
some also use a tsp of allspice, I think I remember I like that.

I think it would work well with your recipe, too
posted by mumimor at 12:10 PM on September 8, 2019 [1 favorite]

Best answer: yeah, I was going to say if give the batter a check and if you feel like it needs more nutmeg, go up to 1/2 tsp. Nutmeg can really vary in strength.
posted by fingersandtoes at 12:12 PM on September 8, 2019

Response by poster: mumimor, could you post the whole recipe? I would love to try it. Just a link to the page if it's online. If it's not, don't go to too much trouble. Thanks!
posted by KleenexMakesaVeryGoodHat at 12:27 PM on September 8, 2019 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Seconding both the freshly ground nutmeg (1/4 - 1/2 tsp) and cloves (1/2 tsp). A Serious Eats article told me both of those share some of bananas' aromatic compounds and thus can make a recipe more banana-y!
posted by obfuscation at 12:27 PM on September 8, 2019

It's in Danish! But this blogger is consistently good with both savory and sweet recipes: Valdemarsro - krydderkage. If translate fails you, memail me. I wouldn't put frosting on it.
posted by mumimor at 12:49 PM on September 8, 2019

Best answer: BTW you've inspired me to give it a go. It won't be tomorrow because I'm baking bread, but some time during the week.

When I was a teen, I had a pony and the owner of the stable he lived in was a very strict lady. We all had the impression she hated us. Then once, my pony was injured at an event, and I had to walk him home slowly, while a friend told her what had happened. I was hours late for her closing time, and as much as I worried for my best friend, I was also scared of the scolding I would no doubt get. But she had baked a krydderkage for me and made tea. She didn't say anything, but I think she was proud I had done the right thing, cleaned his wound and walked him home gently. She was all about caring for the animals. I was never scared of her again.
posted by mumimor at 12:59 PM on September 8, 2019 [11 favorites]

Response by poster: Thank you so much!
posted by KleenexMakesaVeryGoodHat at 2:11 PM on September 8, 2019

Best answer: Cardamom, as already mentioned.

And as not already mentioned, garam masala.

I'm a... uh... very generous spicer so I can't answer the question about amount in a reasonable way.
posted by inexorably_forward at 12:42 AM on September 9, 2019