Go Back
–+ servings
how to make gingerbread cake recipe

Gingerbread Cake Recipe

When the holiday season rolls around, there's nothing quite like the warmth and nostalgia of gingerbread. It’s one of those magical flavors that immediately takes me to my childhood,
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Gingerbread Cake Recipe
Servings: 12
Calories: 200kcal

Equipment

  • oven
  • baking dish 

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups plain all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup unsulphured blackstrap molasses
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ cup white granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Sliced bananas for garnish
  • Freshly whipped cream for serving

Vanilla Cream Sauce

  • This sauce elevates the cake experience:
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup unsalted butter 1 stick
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon bourbon or rum optional

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

  • First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is crucial for ensuring your cake rises perfectly.

Step 2: Prepare the Baking Dish

  • Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish or cake pan with unsalted butter or oil to prevent sticking.

Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients

  • In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ground ginger, cloves, and nutmeg. This blend creates the flavor foundation you want for the cake.

Step 4: Combine the Wet Ingredients

  • In a separate large bowl, melt the butter. Once it's melted, stir in the brown sugar, molasses, and the lightly beaten egg. Mix until smooth and combined.

Step 5: Add the Boiling Water

  • Carefully pour in the boiling water into the molasses mixture. Be cautious, as it will be hot! Stir to combine well. The batter will look thin, but that’s perfectly fine.

Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Mixes

  • Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Do this slowly! Mix until there are no lumps. This cake doesn’t require much stirring, so keep it gentle to maintain the cake’s soft texture.

Step 7: Pour into the Baking Dish

  • Pour your batter into the prepared dish, spreading it evenly with a spatula.

Step 8: Bake

  • Place the baking dish in the oven, and bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 9: Cool and Serve

  • Allow the cake to cool for about 10-15 minutes in the pan before transferring it to a wire rack. You can serve it warm or let it cool completely. Don’t forget to whip up that vanilla cream sauce while the cake cools!

Notes

  • Use Fresh Spices: The freshness of your spices can make all the difference in flavor.
  • Quality Molasses: Opt for unsulphured blackstrap molasses; it provides richer taste profiles than regular molasses.
  • Don’t Overmix: Gently fold the ingredients together to maintain lightness in your cake.
  • Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your eggs and butter are at room temperature for better mixing.
  • Check for Doneness: Ovens may vary. Perform the toothpick test for doneness.

Nutrition

Calories: 200kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!