Go Back

Nonnettes (French Gingerbread Cakes)

Delightful French gingerbread cakes filled with fruit preserves, perfect for holiday festivities or as everyday snacks.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 12 pieces
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: French
Calories: 150
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Dry Ingredients
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour Gives structure and softness
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar Adds moisture and a deep caramel flavor
  • 1 tsp ground ginger The heart of the spice profile
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon Adds warmth and sweetness
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves For a hint of floral bite
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg For a fragrant finish
Wet Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup unsulfured molasses Provides depth and that signature gingerbread taste
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk Adds tang and moisture
  • 1 large egg Binds the ingredients together
Filling
  • 1/2 cup fruit preserves, like apricot or raspberry For the delightful surprise filling

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin or small cake mold with parchment paper for easy removal.
Mix Dry Ingredients
  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg until well combined.
Mix Wet Ingredients
  1. In a separate bowl, combine the molasses, buttermilk, and egg. Beat until well blended.
Combine Mixtures
  1. Slowly add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay.
Fill Molds
  1. Spoon a small amount of batter into each mold, filling them about one-third full. This allows space for the preserves.
  2. Place a teaspoon of your selected fruit preserves in the center of each filled mold, then top with additional batter until three-quarters full.
Bake
  1. Bake for 15-20 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, with a few crumbs attached.
Cool and Serve
  1. Cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Notes

Allow your egg and buttermilk to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before mixing for smoother batter. Experiment with different jams or even chocolate chips for unique flavor twists. Allow nonnettes to cool before removing them from the molds to preserve their shape and texture.