Cheerful Holiday Gingerbread Cake Recipe for Cozy Gatherings

Warm spices dance through this delectable holiday gingerbread cake recipe, weaving magic into every tender crumb.

Cold winter evenings call for comfort baked straight from the oven.

Molasses and rich brown sugar create deep, complex layers of flavor that sing with traditional cheer.

Aromatic cinnamon and ginger swirl through the batter, promising a dessert that embraces classic seasonal warmth.

Each slice offers a nostalgic journey through cherished holiday memories.

Soft, moist, and beautifully spiced, this cake stands ready to become your new festive favorite.

Bake and share a slice of pure winter joy.

How to Whip Up Your Own Gingerbread Cake

• Fire Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350F and give a 9-inch baking pan a quick spray of non-stick magic.

• Blend Dry Spice Ensemble

Toss all your powdery ingredients into a bowl and whisk them into a harmonious dance of flavors.

• Whip Butter and Sweet Crystals

Grab your mixer and transform butter and sugar into a cloud-like, fluffy wonderland.

• Introduce Liquid Companions

Welcome eggs and molasses to the party, mixing them in with smooth, gentle strokes.

• Create Cake Symphony

Slowly marry dry and wet ingredients, alternating with splashes of hot water until everything blends into silky perfection.

• Bake to Golden Brilliance

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and slide it into the oven. Let it transform for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick emerges clean and victorious.

• Cool and Celebrate

Let the cake chill completely, then dust with a snowfall of powdered sugar. Slice and serve with a triumphant smile, maybe adding a dollop of whipped cream for extra joy.

Gingerbread Cake: Ways to Change Up the Flavor

• Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to 3 days, ensuring maximum moisture and flavor preservation.
• Swap traditional flour with a gluten-free blend to create a delicious alternative for those with wheat sensitivities, maintaining the cake's rich spicy profile.
• Replace butter with coconut oil or vegetable oil and use plant-based milk to create a completely dairy-free version without sacrificing taste or texture.
• Add an extra tablespoon of molasses or use applesauce to keep the cake incredibly moist and prevent any potential dryness during baking.
• Toast your ground spices briefly in a dry pan before adding to the recipe to intensify their warm, aromatic qualities and create a more complex flavor profile.

Sharing Gingerbread Cake with Seasonal Style

• Cozy Winter Comfort: Serve warm slices with a steaming mug of spiced apple cider for a classic holiday experience.
• Festive Frosting Flair: Top with cream cheese frosting sprinkled with crushed gingersnap cookies for extra crunch and holiday spirit.
• Decadent Dessert Pairing: Accompany with vanilla bean ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce to elevate the gingerbread's rich, warm flavors.
• Breakfast Transformation: Slice and toast lightly, then spread with butter and a thin layer of orange marmalade for a delightful morning treat.

Storing Gingerbread Cake for Extra Days of Joy

• Cut cake into individual portions before refrigerating, making grab-and-go servings super convenient for busy households.
• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or store in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 5 days, maintaining moisture and delicious flavor.
• Slice cake, separate layers with parchment paper, then freeze for 2-3 months – perfect for unexpected sweet cravings or last-minute dessert needs.
• Let refrigerated cake sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to restore softness and enhance natural gingerbread spice notes.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredients That Make Gingerbread Cake Shine

• Flour: Provides the cake's structure and tender crumb, choose all-purpose flour for best results.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cake rise and creates a light texture, ensure it's fresh for maximum leavening power.
• Salt: Enhances all the warm spice flavors and balances the sweetness.
• Ginger: Delivers that classic zingy warmth, use ground ginger for consistent flavor distribution.
• Cinnamon: Adds deep, comforting sweetness and aromatic depth to the cake.
• Nutmeg: Brings a subtle, complex warmth that complements the other spices perfectly.
• Cloves: Provides an intense, slightly peppery undertone that makes the cake truly memorable.

• Butter: Creates rich, tender texture and carries the cake's deep flavor, use room temperature for smooth mixing.
• Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a soft crumb, granulated white sugar works best.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide structure, use large eggs at room temperature.
• Molasses: Gives the cake its signature dark color and deep, robust flavor, opt for robust or blackstrap molasses.
• Hot Water: Helps dissolve ingredients and creates a moist, tender cake texture.

• Powdered Sugar: Light dusting adds a delicate sweet touch and beautiful presentation.
• Whipped Cream: Provides a cool, creamy contrast to the warm spices.
• Ice Cream: Offers a luxurious accompaniment that complements the cake's rich flavors.

Tools to Help Bake a Memorable Gingerbread Cake

• Large mixing bowl: For combining dry and wet ingredients.
• Medium mixing bowl: To whisk dry ingredients together.
• Electric mixer or hand mixer: Helps cream butter and sugar smoothly.
• Whisk: Essential for mixing dry ingredients evenly.
• 9×13-inch baking pan or 9-inch square pan: For baking the cake.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
• Toothpick: To check cake doneness by testing center.
• Cooling rack (optional): Helps cake cool evenly after baking.

Festive Gingerbread Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Festive holiday magic shines through this classic Gingerbread Cake, celebrating warm spices and rich molasses in every delectable slice. Holiday memories come alive with this comforting dessert you’ll savor and share with loved ones.

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Ingredients

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• 1 tbsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• 2 ½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 ml) unsulfured molasses
• 1 cup (240 ml) hot water
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed
• 1 package (225 g / 8 oz) cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups (250 g) powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar (for dusting)
• Candied ginger pieces
• Cranberries
• Rosemary

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Instructions

1. Prepare Oven and Pan: Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and coat a 9×13-inch or 9-inch square baking pan with grease to ensure smooth cake release.
2. Blend Dry Components: Thoroughly combine flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a medium mixing bowl, creating a fragrant spice blend.
3. Create Creamy Base: Whip butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes airy and pale, developing a luxurious texture that will enhance the cake’s richness.
4. Incorporate Liquid Elements: Gently fold in eggs one at a time, then mix in molasses, ensuring a smooth and consistent wet mixture that will provide deep flavor and moisture.
5. Final Batter Composition: Gradually integrate dry ingredients with the wet mixture, alternating with hot water and mixing until a silky, well-incorporated batter forms without overmixing.
6. Bake and Transform: Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly, and bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick emerges clean, signaling the cake’s perfect doneness.
7. Finish and Present: Allow the cake to cool completely within the pan, then embellish with a delicate powdered sugar dusting or your preferred frosting, serving alongside whipped cream or ice cream for an indulgent touch.

Notes

• Use fresh, high-quality ground spices for maximum flavor intensity and aromatic warmth in the gingerbread cake.
• Add hot water gradually to prevent overmixing and maintain a tender, moist cake texture without becoming dense or tough.
• Customize spice quantities to personal preference – increase ginger for more heat or reduce for milder flavor profile.
• Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum to maintain cake’s structural integrity and soft crumb.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg