Gingerbread cake is a seasonal favorite. The warm, spicy flavors are wonderful when the weather is chilly. Try this recipe and its variations to make a delicious cake your friends and family will love.
Cake Recipe
With the flavors of molasses and fragrant ginger, this cake is sure to please. Top it with whipped cream or powdered sugar, or use one of the frostings listed below. Yields 8 servings.
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
Instructions
- Coat a 9 x 9 inch cake pan with non-stick cooking spray and line the bottom with parchment.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt, baking soda, and baking powder in a medium-sized bowl.
- In a large bowl, combine melted butter, water, sugar and molasses, whisking to combine. Add eggs and ginger root, and thoroughly combine.
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, whisking to blend well.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for about 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Move cake to a wire rack to cool. Cool for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, invert cake onto a serving tray and remove parchment.
- Serve warm or room temperature, topped with whipped cream. Alternatively, you can frost the cake.
Variations
Using the recipe above, you can make the following variations:
- To make a chocolate gingerbread cake, replace 1/4 cup flour with unsweetened cocoa powder.
- To make a maple ginger cake, add one teaspoon of maple flavoring.
- Add the zest of one orange to the cake and replace the water with fresh squeezed strained orange juice to add a little citrus flavor.
- For a little extra zip to the gingerbread, replace cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves with 1-1/2 teaspoons Chinese five spice powder.
- Create a deeper and slightly toasty flavor by replacing the water with an equal amount of brewed coffee.
- Give your cake some kick by replacing 1/4 of the water with bourbon.
Gingerbread Cupcakes
To make cupcakes using the recipe above:
- Line a 12 cupcake pan with paper cupcake liners.
- Fill the liners 2/3 full of batter.
- Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool in pan for 10 minutes, and then move cupcakes to a wire rack to continue cooling.
- Yields one dozen cupcakes.
- Frost as desired.
Frosting Options
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
This frosting is perfect for gingerbread cake.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup softened butter
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 8 ounces softened cream cheese
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
Method
- Place all ingredients in a large bowl.
- Beat with a mixer until well combined.
- Spread on cooled cake.
Gingerbread Pudding Frosting
This icing needs to be kept chilled. It uses instant vanilla pudding mix and whipped topping. You can spread it on the cake or spoon it on like whipped cream. Keep it chilled until serving.
- 1 cup milk
- 1 package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 8 ounces frozen whipped topping, thawed
Method
- Beat together milk, pudding mix, ginger, and cinnamon in a medium-sized bowl for two minutes.
- Fold in whipped topping. Spread on cooled cake.
Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
Maple pairs well with the warm spices in the ginger cake.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 stick butter, softened
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Method
- Place all ingredients in a bowl and beat with a mixer until smooth.
- Spread on cooled cake.
Pumpkin Frosting
Pumpkin and gingerbread make a delicious pair.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces softened cream cheese
- 1/2 cups pumpkin purée
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg
- Finely grated zest of 1 orange
- 3-1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
Method
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
- Use a beater to combine thoroughly.
- Spread on cooled cake or cupcakes.
Enjoy Gingerbread
Gingerbread makes a delicious finish to holiday meals, or you can enjoy it any time. This delicious recipe is sure to please the gingerbread lover in your life.
