Description
Spiced gingerbread cake with cinnamon molasses frosting celebrates holiday warmth and comfort. Layers of rich ginger-infused cake topped with creamy, sweet frosting invite you to savor seasonal delights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups (310 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup (120 ml) molasses
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (120 ml) brown sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsps ground ginger
- 1 ½ tsps ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp molasses
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Crushed gingerbread cookies
- Cinnamon sticks
- Sprinkle of ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preparation: Grease a cake pan and line with parchment. Position oven rack at 175C (350F) for consistent heat distribution.
- Dry Ingredients: Thoroughly sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg to eliminate potential lumps and ensure uniform mixing.
- Butter Mixture: Utilize an electric mixer to cream butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale in color.
- Wet Integration: Add eggs one at a time, ensuring complete incorporation. Pour in molasses and vanilla extract, mixing until the batter achieves a smooth, homogeneous consistency.
- Batter Formation: Delicately fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk. Use a gentle folding technique to maintain the batter’s structural integrity.
- Baking Process: Pour batter into the prepared pan, leveling the surface with a spatula. Bake for 30-35 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick that should emerge clean when inserted.
- Cooling Stage: Allow cake to cool completely within the pan, which helps stabilize its structure and prevent potential crumbling.
- Frosting Creation: Whip cream cheese and butter until silky. Introduce molasses, cinnamon, and vanilla, gradually incorporating powdered sugar to develop a creamy, spreadable consistency.
- Finishing Touch: Once cake reaches room temperature, generously apply frosting across the top, creating elegant swirls or a smooth surface.
- Garnish: Optionally embellish with crushed gingerbread cookies, a light cinnamon dusting, or decorative cinnamon sticks to enhance visual appeal and flavor complexity.
Notes
- Precise Ingredient Temperature: Ensure butter, eggs, and buttermilk are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cake texture.
- Gentle Mixing Technique: Fold dry ingredients gently to maintain air bubbles, preventing a dense, tough cake and preserving its light, delicate crumb.
- Spice Calibration: Adjust warm spices according to personal taste, but maintain balance to prevent overpowering the cake’s delicate flavor profile.
- Cooling Crucial: Allow cake to cool completely in the pan to set structure and prevent crumbling, enhancing overall presentation and slice integrity.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg