Last Updated on December 12, 2023
Do you want to bake a cake that tastes like it was made over a hundred years ago?
If so, you should try the Old-Fashioned Molasses Cake recipe. This cake is packed with flavor and is sure to be a hit with your guests. This recipe is simple to make and uses easy-to-find ingredients.
Plus, it’s a great way to make use of molasses in your baking. Read on to learn more about this classic cake recipe and find out why you’ll love it.
What is old fashioned molasses cake recipe?
Old-Fashioned Molasses Cake is a classic cake recipe that has been around for generations. This cake is made with molasses, giving it a deep, rich flavor.
The texture of this cake is light and fluffy, and it is perfect for serving at any occasion. The ingredients for this recipe are simple and easy to find in your local grocery store.
Why You’ll Love this old fashioned molasses cake?
There are many reasons why you’ll love this Old-Fashioned Molasses Cake recipe. For starters, it is a classic recipe that has been around for generations.
This means that you can make a cake that tastes like it was made over a hundred years ago. Plus, the ingredients are simple and easy to find.
Finally, this cake is packed with flavor and texture that will make your guests happy.
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The Ingredients
This Old-Fashioned Molasses Cake recipe requires just a few simple ingredients. Here is what you will need to make the cake:
- WHOLE MILK or HALF AND HALF: Whole milk or half and half is chosen for its rich and creamy texture, imparting a velvety smoothness to the Old Fashioned Molasses Cake. The organic quality ensures a pure and wholesome foundation for the batter.
- ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR: Unbleached all-purpose flour serves as the canvas for this baking masterpiece, providing structure and stability to the cake. Its versatility ensures a tender crumb while allowing the other flavors to shine.
- EGGS: Each farm-fresh, organic egg contributes a touch of golden richness to the batter, enhancing the overall flavor and providing moisture. Eggs play a crucial role in binding the ingredients and creating a moist, luscious texture.
- BAKING POWDER: Baking powder acts as the invisible lift in the recipe, ensuring that the Old Fashioned Molasses Cake rises to new heights. This leavening agent is essential for achieving a light and fluffy texture.
- APPLE CIDER VINEGAR: Apple cider vinegar adds a hint of tangy perfection to the cake, balancing the sweetness and enhancing the overall flavor profile. It also reacts with baking soda to create additional leavening, contributing to the cake’s rise.
- BAKING SODA: Baking soda is a magical leavening agent that works in harmony with the apple cider vinegar to provide the cake with an ethereal rise. It contributes to the cake’s lightness and fluffiness.
- VEGETABLE SHORTENING: Vegetable shortening from the renowned Spectrum Brand is precisely measured to ensure a flawless texture. It contributes to the cake’s tenderness and moisture, creating a delightful mouthfeel.
- GRANULATED SUGAR: Granulated sugar forms the foundation of indulgence, providing sweetness to the Old Fashioned Molasses Cake. It not only sweetens the cake but also contributes to its overall structure and texture.
- CHOPPED WALNUTS: Chopped walnuts are carefully selected for their crunch and earthy richness. They add a delightful texture and a nutty flavor that complements the sweetness of the cake.
- LIGHT BROWN SUGAR: Light brown sugar is a warm and comforting addition that elevates the sweetness of the cake. It also contributes moisture and a subtle molasses flavor, enhancing the overall richness.
- BLACK STRAP MOLASSES: Black strap molasses is an artisanal choice that imparts deep, robust flavor notes to the cake. It adds complexity, depth, and a distinctive molasses taste, making the Old Fashioned Molasses Cake unique.
- NUTMEG: Nutmeg, in small amounts, provides a whisper of aromatic spice, adding sophistication to the flavor profile. It contributes warmth and depth without overpowering the other ingredients.
- GROUND CLOVES: Ground cloves offer a hint of exotic spice, enchanting the taste buds with their distinctive flavor. They add depth and complexity to the cake, elevating it beyond a simple sweet treat.
- CINNAMON: Cinnamon, a fragrant spice, awakens the senses with a subtle warmth. It adds a comforting aroma and complements the other spices, contributing to the overall richness of the Old Fashioned Molasses Cake.
- PLUMP RAISINS: Plump raisins, specifically non-sulfur varieties, add a burst of natural sweetness to the cake. They provide a delightful chewiness and pockets of concentrated sweetness, enhancing the overall texture and flavor.
Directions
Making the Old-Fashioned Molasses Cake is simple and easy. Here are the steps you need to follow:
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Ensure you grease and flour either a Bundt pan or a 9×13-inch baking pan.
Step 2: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
In a spacious mixing bowl, whisk together the unbleached all-purpose flour and baking powder. Set this mixture aside for later use.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, blend either whole milk or half and half with apple cider vinegar. Allow the mixture to sit for a few minutes, letting it develop a buttermilk-like consistency. In another bowl, beat the farm-fresh organic eggs until well combined.
Step 4: Creaming Process
Using a large mixing bowl, cream together the vegetable shortening, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until the mixture achieves a light and fluffy texture.
Step 5: Incorporate Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the beaten eggs to the creamed mixture, ensuring thorough incorporation. Alternately add the dry ingredients and the milk-vinegar mixture to the batter, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
Step 6: Add Flavor and Spice
Stir in the blackstrap molasses, nutmeg, ground cloves, and cinnamon until the spices are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Step 7: Fold in Nuts and Raisins
Gently fold in the chopped walnuts and plump raisins until evenly distributed in the batter.
Step 8: Baking
Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 9: Cooling
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 10: Serve
Once cooled, slice and serve the Old-Fashioned Molasses Cake. Enjoy the rich flavors and delightful textures!
Notes
• Use a light-colored baking pan for best results. Dark-colored pans may cause the cake to bake unevenly.
• You can substitute the buttermilk with sour cream or plain yogurt.
• If you don’t have all of the spices, you can substitute with a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice.
• Make sure to mix the batter until just combined. Over-mixing can cause the cake to become dense.
• The cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Storage Tips
Old-Fashioned Molasses Cake is best served the day it is made. However, it can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
The cake can also be frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze the cake, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a resealable freezer bag.
Nutrition Information
This Old-Fashioned Molasses Cake recipe is packed with flavor and is a great way to make use of molasses in your baking. It is a great treat for any occasion. A single slice of this cake contains approximately
Serving Suggestions
Old-Fashioned Molasses Cake is a great dessert for any occasion. It pairs well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. It can also be served with a cup of coffee or a glass of milk. Here are some other great serving suggestions:
• Top with a sprinkle of chopped nuts or chocolate chips
• Drizzle with melted chocolate or caramel
• Serve with a dollop of cream cheese frosting
• Top with fresh fruit or a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar
What other substitute can I use in old fashioned molasses cake?
If you don’t have all the ingredients for the Old-Fashioned Molasses Cake recipe, there are some substitutes that you can use. Here are some of the most common substitutes:
• For the molasses, you can use dark corn syrup or maple syrup.
• For the buttermilk, you can use regular milk, sour cream, or plain yogurt.
• For the oil, you can use melted butter.
• For the sugar, you can use brown sugar or coconut sugar.
• For the spices, you can use a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice.
Equipment
- oven
Ingredients
- 1.25 velvety cups of whole milk or half and half carefully selected for their organic goodness.
- 2.5 cups of unbleached all-purpose flour the canvas for your baking masterpiece.
- 2.5 farm-fresh organic eggs each one adding a touch of golden richness.
- 1.25 teaspoons of baking powder the invisible lift that ensures your creation reaches new heights.
- 2.5 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar the secret touch for a hint of tangy perfection.
- 1.25 teaspoons of baking soda a magical leavening agent for that ethereal rise.
- 5/8 cup of vegetable shortening precisely measured from the renowned Spectrum Brand, ensuring a flawless texture.
- 1.25 cups of granulated sugar a sweet symphony that forms the foundation of indulgence.
- 1.25 cups of chopped walnuts carefully selected for their crunch and earthy richness.
- 1.25 cups of light brown sugar a warm and comforting addition to elevate the sweetness.
- 5/8 cup of black strap molasses an artisanal choice imparting deep, robust flavor notes.
- 5/8 teaspoon of nutmeg a whisper of this aromatic spice for a touch of sophistication.
- 5/8 teaspoon of ground cloves a hint of exotic spice to enchant the taste buds.
- 1.25 teaspoons of cinnamon a fragrant spice to awaken the senses with a subtle warmth.
- 1.25 cups of plump raisins specifically non-sulfur varieties, adding a burst of natural sweetness.
Instructions
Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a Bundt pan or a 9×13-inch baking pan.
Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the unbleached all-purpose flour and baking powder. Set aside.
Combine Wet Ingredients:
- In another bowl, combine the whole milk or half and half with apple cider vinegar. Allow it to sit for a few minutes to create a buttermilk-like consistency.
- In a separate bowl, beat the farm-fresh organic eggs until they are well combined.
Creaming Process:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the vegetable shortening, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Incorporate Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Gradually add the beaten eggs to the creamed mixture, ensuring thorough incorporation.
- Alternately add the dry ingredients and the milk-vinegar mixture to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
Add Flavor and Spice:
- Stir in the black strap molasses, nutmeg, ground cloves, and cinnamon until the spices are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Fold in Nuts and Raisins:
- Gently fold in the chopped walnuts and plump raisins until evenly distributed in the batter.
Baking:
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cooling:
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Serve:
- Once cooled, slice and serve the Old-Fashioned Molasses Cake. Enjoy the rich flavors and delightful textures!
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this cake without molasses?
Yes, you can make the cake without molasses. You can substitute the molasses with dark corn syrup or maple syrup.
Is this cake gluten-free?
No, this cake is not gluten-free. The recipe calls for all-purpose flour, which contains gluten.
Can I make this cake in a different size pan?
Yes, you can make the cake in a different size pan. However, you may need to adjust the baking time accordingly.
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the cake ahead of time. The cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Can I freeze the cake?
Yes, you can freeze the cake. Simply wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a resealable freezer bag.
How do I know when the cake is done?
The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Can I use a different type of flour?
Yes, you can use a different type of flour. However, the texture of the cake may be slightly different.
Conclusion
Old-Fashioned Molasses Cake is a classic recipe that has been around for generations. The cake is made with molasses, giving it a deep, rich flavor. The texture of this cake is light and fluffy, and it is perfect for serving at any occasion.
The ingredients for this recipe are simple and easy to find in your local grocery store. Plus, it’s a great way to make use of molasses in your baking.
Give this recipe a try and you’ll see why it has been a hit for generations.