I grew up enamored with gingerbread. To my peewee palate it was mind-blowing compared to tamer, sweeter cakes. As I have matured, either gingerbread has gotten meeker or my taste buds have coarsened, because my childhood thrill goes unrealized with every gingerbread I try. All this has brought me to this version, which spikes a traditional gingerbread with black pepper and chiles. At last, nostalgia and innovation meet.
No-stick spray oil
1 (16-ounce) package gingerbread mix
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground chipotle hot peppers
1/8 teaspoon ground red cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons spicy brown mustard
1 egg, large or extra-large
1 1/4 cups apple juice
Heat the oven to 350°F. Coat the interior of an 8- by 8-inch baking pan with oil.
Mix all of the remaining ingredients in a large bowl until well blended and the consistency of lightly beaten cream. Scrape into the prepared pan and bake until a tester inserted into the center comes out with a moist crumb clinging to it, about 35 minutes. Cool on a rack until the pan is comfortable to the touch. Remove from the pan and set on a cooling rack to cool the rest of the way before serving.