Nonnettes (French Gingerbread Cakes)
User Reviews
5
Nonnettes (French Gingerbread Cakes)
Description
Nonnettes combine buttery and oily liquids with honey and brown sugar heated until smooth, then mixed into a dry blend of flours, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and a special pain d’épices spice blend. A touch of rum, vanilla extract, and fresh orange zest enrich the batter, completed with an egg yolk for structure.
The batter is portioned into buttered mini cheesecake or muffin pans, with an indentation in the center to hold a teaspoon of black currant jam or other traditional marmalades. Baking at 375°F yields cakes with soft crumb and tender texture, complemented by a lemon glaze brushed on top for subtle tartness.
These nonnettes offer a pleasantly spiced, moist cake with a burst of jam in the center and a delicate glaze that soaks into the surface. They serve well as an afternoon tea treat or a small dessert.
Variations include different jam fillings like orange marmalade, blueberry, or blackberry, and additional flavor ideas such as lemon and cardamom pairs or adding a splash of Grand Marnier to the batter.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup honey pure
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar packed
- 3/4 cup water (use 3-4 tablespoons less if using only all-purpose flour instead of rye. Add a little more water back if needed.)
- 6 tablespoons butter unsalted
- 3 tablespoons neutral tasting oil
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 200 g
- 3/4 cup rye flour use less rye flour/substitute more all-purpose flour if you prefer a lighter/less dense texture, 80 g
- 1 tablespoon pain d’épices spice blend homemade
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon rum
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract quality pure
- 2 teaspoons orange fresh zest
- 1 egg large, yolk
- black currant jam (orange marmalade is also traditional, can also substitute blueberry or blackberry jam)
- For the lemon glaze:
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar confectioner's
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
- Note: This makes a thin glaze to enable it to penetrate the cakes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the butter, oil, water, honey and brown sugar and stir just until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and let it sit a couple of minutes while you prepare the dry ingredients.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the flours, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and homemade pain d’épices spice blend. Stir to combine.While it's still warm, pour the honey mixture into the flour and stir to combine. Stir in the rum, vanilla extract, orange zest and egg yolk until combined.
- Butter a mini cheesecake pan (you can also use a muffin pan but I prefer the size and shape of the mini cheesecake molds).Fill each mold with batter between 1/2 to 2/3 full. Make an indentation in each and place a teaspoon of jam in it.If you prefer the jam completely inside the cakes, place less batter in the molds initially, add the jam, and then add a little more batter on top.
- Bake the nonnettes for 12-15 minutes until golden brown and the dough springs bake when gently pressed.While the nonnettes are baking prepare the glaze by combining the sifted powdered sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl and stir until the sugar is dissolved. While the nonnettes are still warm and in their molds, spoon the glaze over them, letting the glaze drip down the sides into the molds, and let them cool in the molds (this will allow the glaze to penetrate the cakes). Once cool, remove the nonnettes from the molds.
- Store the nonnettes in an airtight container for up to a week.Nonnettes are delicious eaten at room temp or slightly warmed.Makes up to 18 depending on size
Notes
- Substitute rye flour with more all-purpose flour for a lighter texture, adjusting water accordingly.
- Traditional jam fillings include black currant, orange marmalade, or blueberry; adjust preference as desired.
- Try flavor variations like lemon and cardamom with lemon curd filling or add a splash of Grand Marnier for extra aroma.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 18nonnettes
Amount Per Serving
Calories 176 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1nonnette | |
| Calories | 176kcal | 9% |
| Carbohydrates | 28g | 9% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 6g | 9% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 20mg | 7% |
| Sodium | 97mg | 4% |
| Potassium | 84mg | 2% |
| Sugar | 16g | 32% |
| Vitamin A | 130IU | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 0.8mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 31mg | 3% |
| Iron | 0.7mg | 4% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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