Spiced Gingerbread Cake with Cinnamon Molasses Frosting Recipe

Warm spices dance through this delectable gingerbread cake with cinnamon molasses frosting, creating a symphony of winter comfort.

The rich, deep flavors blend like a festive melody in every tender crumb.

Molasses adds a deep caramel undertone that wraps around your senses with luxurious warmth.

Each slice promises a nostalgic journey through holiday memories and cozy kitchen moments.

Layers of fragrant ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon weave together in this irresistible dessert.

The creamy frosting crowns the cake with a silky smoothness that melts on your tongue.

Prepare to fall in love with this classic treat that turns ordinary afternoons into sweet celebrations.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 11

Gingerbread Cake With Cinnamon Molasses Frosting Ingredient List

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and helps bind the cake together, choose unbleached flour for better texture.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Essential leavening agents that help the cake rise and create a soft, tender crumb.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cake.
• Ground Ginger, Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmeg: Warming spices that create the signature gingerbread flavor profile, use fresh ground spices for maximum potency.

• Butter: Adds richness and moisture, use unsalted butter at room temperature for smooth mixing.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and help create a tender cake texture, brown sugar adds depth and moisture.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and add structure, use large room-temperature eggs for even mixing.
• Molasses: Gives deep, rich flavor and dark color characteristic of gingerbread, choose unsulphured molasses for best taste.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances and rounds out the spice flavors, use pure vanilla for best results.
• Buttermilk: Adds tenderness and subtle tanginess, creates a softer cake texture.

• Cream Cheese, Butter: Create a smooth, creamy base for the frosting, ensure they're softened at room temperature.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps achieve the right frosting consistency.
• Molasses, Cinnamon, Vanilla Extract: Add depth and warmth to the frosting, creating a complementary flavor to the cake.

Baking Tools For Gingerbread Cake With Cinnamon Molasses Frosting

• 9-inch baking pan: Essential for creating the perfect cake shape and size.
• Parchment paper: Ensures easy cake removal and prevents sticking.
• Medium mixing bowl: Used for combining dry ingredients with precision.
• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for creaming butter and sugar, and mixing cake batter.
• Electric mixer: Helps achieve light, fluffy texture when beating ingredients.
• Whisk: Crucial for evenly mixing dry ingredients and preventing lumps.
• Toothpick: Helps test cake doneness by checking for clean insertion.
• Spatula: Great for smoothing batter and spreading frosting evenly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.

How To Prepare Gingerbread Cake With Cinnamon Molasses Frosting

• Oven Preparation

Warm up the kitchen companion to a cozy 350 degrees. Lovingly coat a rectangular baking vessel with protective parchment, ensuring smooth cake removal.

• Dry Ingredient Symphony

Whisk together a magical blend of flour, spices, and rising agents in a medium bowl. Each powder and sprinkle will contribute to the cake’s delightful character.

• Butter Transformation

In a spacious mixing bowl, transform butter and sugars into a cloud-like, airy mixture. Beat until the texture resembles soft, fluffy dreams.

• Liquid Magic

Introduce eggs one by one, then welcome rich molasses and vanilla. Watch as the mixture becomes a smooth, glossy landscape of flavor.

• Batter Creation

Gently fold dry ingredients into wet, alternating with buttermilk. Treat the batter like a delicate dance, mixing just enough to create harmony.

• Baking Journey

Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface with tender care. Bake until a hidden toothpick emerges clean, revealing the cake’s perfect doneness.

• Frosting Artistry

Whip cream cheese and butter into a silky canvas. Drizzle molasses, cinnamon, and vanilla, creating a luscious spread that promises pure indulgence.

• Cake Assembly

Once the cake has completely cooled, generously cloak it with the cinnamon-kissed frosting. Optional: sprinkle crushed gingerbread cookies for extra whimsy.

• Celebration

Slice into generous portions and invite friends to savor this warm, spicy celebration of comfort and joy.

Flavor Boosts For Gingerbread Cake With Cinnamon Molasses Frosting

• Baker's Best Gingerbread Cake Secrets
• Cold Ingredient Magic: Let butter, eggs, and cream cheese sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before mixing to ensure smoother, more evenly blended batters and frostings.
• Spice Intensity Adjustment: Dial up or down the ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves based on personal preference – more spices mean a bolder, more robust gingerbread flavor.
• Make-Ahead Brilliance: This cake actually tastes better the next day as spices develop deeper, richer notes when allowed to rest overnight – perfect for holiday meal planning.
• Gluten-Free Transformation: Swap wheat flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend and add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum to maintain the cake's soft, tender texture.
• Dairy-Free Swap Trick: Replace buttermilk with almond milk mixed with 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, and use coconut cream cheese alternative for a completely dairy-free version that doesn't compromise on deliciousness.

Ways To Serve Gingerbread Cake With Cinnamon Molasses Frosting

• Festive Holiday Centerpiece: Create a stunning dessert table display by placing the gingerbread cake on a rustic wooden board surrounded by cinnamon sticks, pine sprigs, and small ornamental pumpkins for a cozy winter gathering aesthetic.
• Warm Beverage Pairing: Serve thick slices alongside hot mulled wine, spiced apple cider, or rich dark roast coffee to complement the cake's deep, warming spice profile and enhance the overall flavor experience.
• Gifting Delight: Package individual slices in cute parchment paper with twine, adding a small cinnamon stick or gingerbread cookie as a charming accompaniment for holiday gift-giving or potluck contributions.
• Brunch Star: Present as a decadent breakfast treat with a dollop of whipped cream, a light dusting of powdered sugar, and fresh berries to transform this dessert into an elegant morning indulgence.

How To Store Gingerbread Cake With Cinnamon Molasses Frosting

• Fridge-Fresh Strategy: Keep the gingerbread cake tightly wrapped in plastic or stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, maintaining its delicious moisture and soft texture.
• Freezing Magic: Slice the cake before freezing individual portions in freezer-safe bags, which can stay fresh for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results.
• Temperature Transfer: Always let the cake sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before serving to enhance flavor complexity and soften the frosting's texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cake batter or frosting one day in advance and refrigerate, allowing ingredients to meld and develop richer, deeper taste profiles.

Cozy Gingerbread Cake With Cinnamon Molasses Frosting Recipe

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4.8 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Gingerbread cake with cinnamon molasses frosting blends rich winter spices into a comforting dessert from Northern European traditions. Warm notes of ginger and smooth cinnamon frosting invite you to savor each delectable slice.

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Ingredients

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• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk
• 0.5 cup (120 ml) molasses
• 0.5 cup (120 ml) brown sugar
• 0.5 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 0.5 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2.5 cups (310 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 tsps ground ginger
• 1.5 tsps ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp baking powder
• 0.25 tsp ground cloves
• 0.25 tsp ground nutmeg
• 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
• 0.5 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

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Meticulously butter a 9×13-inch pan and line with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 175C (350F), positioning the rack in the center.
2. Dry Mixture: Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg in a bowl. Whisk thoroughly to distribute spices evenly and set aside.
3. Creaming: Utilize an electric mixer to cream butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Integrate eggs one at a time, then fold in molasses and vanilla extract, creating a smooth, homogeneous batter.
4. Batter Integration: Alternate adding dry ingredient mixture and buttermilk to the creamed mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Fold gently to maintain cake’s delicate structure, avoiding overmixing.
5. Baking: Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula. Bake for 30-35 minutes, testing doneness with a toothpick that should emerge clean when inserted into the center.
6. Cooling: Remove cake from oven and let cool completely within the pan, allowing flavors to meld and texture to settle.
7. Frosting Creation: Whip cream cheese and butter until silky. Incorporate molasses, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until frosting reaches a luxurious, spreadable consistency.
8. Finishing: Once cake reaches room temperature, spread cinnamon molasses frosting generously across the surface. Optionally garnish with crushed gingerbread cookies, cinnamon dust, or decorative cinnamon sticks.
9. Serving: Slice into generous squares and present this warmly spiced dessert, inviting delightful indulgence.

Notes

• Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for spices and ingredients to maintain the perfect balance of warm, spicy flavors in the gingerbread cake.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure eggs, butter, and buttermilk are at room temperature for smoother mixing and a more consistent cake texture.
• Minimal Mixing Technique: Fold dry ingredients gently to prevent overmixing, which can result in a tough, dense cake instead of a light, tender crumb.
• Cooling is Crucial: Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and ensure a clean, professional-looking finish.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg