A Few Dozen Darwinian Hobbits

Ingredients (9 slices)

for the cake

• 1 stick of butter, softened
• 1/2 cup robust molasses
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup whole milk
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 1/2 cup AP flour
• 2 tsp ginger
• 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda

for the frosting

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 4 tbsp butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar
• zest of one lemon
• zest of one large or two small oranges
• tsp orange juice

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375F

grease and flour an 8″ square pan

for the cake

sift together dry ingredients, set aside

whip butter and brown sugar in an electric mixer on high for 2 minutes

set mixer to low

pour in molasses, whip one minute

add egg and vanilla

slowly pour in milk

stir in dry ingredients a tiny bit at a time, scraping down the sides to maintain mixture consistency

pour into prepared pan

bake 30-35 minutes or until skewer inserted in the center comes out clean

for the frosting

whip the ROOM TEMPERATURE ingredients together for 2 minutes on high with a mixer

let cake cool completely

frost cake with frosting