Strawberry Gingerbread

This is based on a recipe from an inn on the coast of Maine. They serve it warm with butter or whipped cream, but it can also be served cold.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 1  cup fresh strawberries
• 1  tablespoon sugar (can use 2 packets splenda)
• 1⁄2 cup  vegetable oil
• 1  cup sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 3  tablespoons molasses
• 1  egg
• 2  cups all-purpose flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1  teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1  cup buttermilk
• 2  teaspoons sugar

Directions

1. Chop strawberries, sprinkle with sugar, mix well, cover and refrigerate for an hour.
2. Grease and flour a 12x8x2 baking dish.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
4. With electric beater, beat together oil, 1 cup sugar, salt and molasses.
5. Beat in egg.
6. In separate bowl combine flour, spices and baking soda.
7. Drain strawberries if any liquid, dredge berries with 2 tablespoons of flour mixture.
8. Add remaining flour mixture to first mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating after each addition.
9. Stir in strawberries.
10. Pour into baking dish.
11. Sprinkle top with 2 tablespoons sugar.
12. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean.
13. Cut into squares and serve warm with butter or whipped cream -- or serve later cold.