"These chunky slabs of gingerbread are rich, dark and elegantly spiced. I’ve added lots of grated carrot to make them extra moist, and it blends beautifully with the treacle and ginger. Although this old-fashioned classic takes a while in the oven, it is very easy to make. For extra decadence, serve the gingerbread with hot custard, although a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream would also team up very well." Kate Hackworthy
200g/7oz/scant 1 cup unsalted butterplus extra for greasing
200g/7oz/scant 1 cup light soft brown sugar
200g/7oz/2/3 cup black treaclemolasses
375g/13oz/3 cups plainall-purpose flour
3tspground ginger
2tspbicarbonate of sodabaking soda
250ml/8½fl oz/1 cup whole milk
150g/5¼oz carrot1½ medium carrots, peeled, grated
2large free-range eggsbeaten
3piecesof stem ginger in syrupchopped
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 160°C/140°C fan/320°F/gas 3. Grease and line a 23 x 30mm/9 x 12in baking pan with baking parchment.
Heat the butter, sugar and treacle in a pan, stirring, until smooth and melted. Leave to cool slightly.
Sift the flour, ginger and bicarbonate of soda into a large bowl. Stir in the milk, carrot, beaten egg, stem ginger and treacle mixture and stir to combine.
Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 1 hour until well risen and springy in the middle.
Leave to cool in the pan for a few minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before cutting into squares.