Spiced Gingerbread Cake
A rich and moist gingerbread cake filled with warm spices, perfect for the chilly months.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1.5 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 0.25 teaspoon ground cloves
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 0.75 cups unsulphured or dark molasses
- 0.75 cups hot water
- 0.5 cups unsalted butter (softened)
- 0.33 cups packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1 large egg (at room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Optional Frosting
- 8 ounces full-fat brick cream cheese (softened)
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
- 1.75 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- small pinch ground cinnamon, ginger, and cloves
Garnish
- to taste sprinkles and/or sugared cranberries
Instructions
Preparation
- Adjust the oven rack to the lower third position and preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease your 9-inch springform, square, or 11×7-inch rectangle pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt, then set aside.
- In another bowl, combine the molasses and hot water until thoroughly combined.
Batter Mixing
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth, then cream with the brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry flour mixture and the molasses mixture, alternating between the two, mixing until just combined.
Baking
- Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it evenly. Bake for approximately 35 minutes, checking for doneness with a toothpick.
- Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
Frosting (optional)
- Beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until creamy, then gradually add confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and spices, blending until smooth.
- Once the cake is cooled, frost it with the cream cheese mixture and garnish as desired.
Notes
For best results, ensure all ingredients are at room temperature. Consider adding fresh ginger for an extra kick or adjusting sweetness in the frosting.