There’s no escaping the fact that Christmas is on it’s way. Once we get past Bonefire night I allow myself to start feeling a bit Christmassy and one thing I love about this time of year in the run up to it is gingerbread!
A couple of years ago I shared a recipe for gingerbread made with spelt flour and pumpkin which is also delicious. However I couldn’t help myself creating another recipe, and this time it’s vegan and paleo.
I was inspired after I made Purely Twins Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Blondies that make use of plantain, a banana like fruit. They had the most amazing texture which I thought would work well in gingerbread and hence this recipe was born. You should be able to find plantains in green grocers, if I can find it in Durham I’m sure it can be found elsewhere too! Depending on the ripeness of the plantains they might have a very slight bananary taste, but that can be quite a welcome additional flavour anyway!
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I used black treacle in this recipe as that’s what I had on had and technically I don’t know if either black treacle or molasses are paleo, but heck, if it mattered that much to you just leave it out and add a touch more honey. They will still taste great!
This gingerbread is chunky, dense and filling, the perfect accompaniment to a cup of chai tea on a cold November or December afternoon!
Are you a fan of gingerbread? Have you tried making your own? Have you ever used plantains before?
Oh its getting christmasy! I have been experimenting with plantains too – a bit of a buggar to peel but they do make tasty cake and great for binding so great for people avoiding eggs. I always try to make a gingerbread house – gluten free of course!
Haha they are a faff to peel aren’t they! I’ve never made a gingerbread house, must try that!
I’m not a massive fan of gingerbread although I love the smell and it does always make me feel Christmassy! Not many weeks to go now!…
I know it will be here before we know it!
These look and sound amazing!! I love Xmas baking but I do want to try and find a way to make healthier treats. These fit the bill! Thanks for sharing :) x
Glad you like the recipe!
These look beyond delicious Laura!
It’s like you knew I was looking for an easy paleo gingerbread recipe! Genius!
I have a bottle of molasses from my trip to Grenada last year that would be just perfect for this :)
Ooh glad you like the recipe! Let me know if you make them :-)
I am a massive ginger bread fan, love it so this sounds like something I would devour in a very little time!
Mmm yummy seasonal, nourishing treat!
I’m off to Berlin (again) in a few weeks to see friends and mosey round the Christmas marks and cannot wait for the German gingerbread. It’s just ahhmazing. These look fantastic. I love the use of the plantains – what a great idea!
You lucky thing! Hope you have a great time :-)
I honestly can’t wait until I can bust out the gingerbread recipes! I’m definitely a huge fan, which is kind of strange since I used to hate molasses when I was growing up. Actually, what’s even stranger is that I’ll get hit with random cravings for molasses a few times a year and just eat it by the spoonful. Must be all those vitamins and minerals ;)
I know what you mean strangely enough! There’s something about the stuff isn’t there, I love it mixed with tahini as well :-)
I’ve never tried plantains, is their consistency similar to bananas? This recipes intrigued me! They look really good Laura :)
Their consistency is hard to describe, it like bananas but more dense I think? When they are used in baked goods they create an amazing texture, you’d be hard pressed to think theres no flour in these!
Yum! I love that you used plantain in it. I ate a lot of plantain when I was in Jamaica, so I am looking forward to using it more now I am back.
I bet it was fab eating it in Jamaica!
I can’t believe Christmas is so close. I’m so not ready for it.
These look so sticky and nommy. I haven’t been able to find plantain in the UK. I’m not sure if they’d sell it her in Scotland.
Haha, me too, I usually have most of my presents bought, I’m so behind this year! You might find it in ethnic stores in Scotland perhaps?
looks great :) glad our recipe inspired you!
Thanks! Loved your original recipe!
Want. Now I need to find some plantain, haven’t had any for too long!
Glad you like the look of them!
I bloody love gingerbread! I used to eat it by the bucketload as a kind especially the enders.
I haven’t cooked with plantains before, but this needs to change!
You should give them a try, they are fab to bake with!
These look so good! I haven’t yet tried baking with plantains though I’ve got several of the twins’ recipes bookmarked. Will definitely be trying this one.
Thanks Emma, I think you’ll love the texture of plantains in baked goods, great that recipes like these are vegan as well :-)
I love gingerbread- so Christmassy and delicious.
I love your other recipe for gingerbread, but I have never had a plantain, let alone cooked with one.
I made them too & loved every bite! They were just amazing! :)
Made this last night – absolutely delicious!!! Plus, the whole house smelt amazing. However mine is very crumbly and not holding together at all. I wonder if it could be because my plantains weren’t ripe enough? Or maybe I overmixed it? I wonder if it would help if I added an egg next time? Any other ideas?
Glad it tasted good! Hmm, I wonder if your plantains were too small? Or maybe overcooked? I’m sure if you made again with addition of a medium egg that would sort it either way :-)
Thanks for the response :) I’m definitely going to give it another try with the addition of an egg when the plantains I bought ripen. Its so yummy and not too sweet so even the family without a sweet tooth is enjoying it!
Wow love this! I made a chocolate cake with plantains (inspired by Purely Twins as well). It was delish. Can’t wait to try this!