Cozy Homemade Gingerbread Recipe for Holiday Magic

Gingerbread, a festive delight, weaves warmth and nostalgia into every delectable bite.

Spicy aromas dance through kitchens, converting ordinary moments into magical memories.

Sweet and robust flavors blend seamlessly, creating a sensory experience that transcends simple baking.

Generations have cherished this timeless treat, passing down recipes like treasured family secrets.

Soft, tender textures mingle with complex spice profiles that awaken childhood comfort.

Baking these delightful morsels connects you to culinary traditions that span cultures and continents.

Rich molasses and warming spices tell stories of celebration and togetherness.

Pairing Tips for Enjoying Gingerbread with Drinks or Toppings

• Pair with Warm Spiced Chai: A fragrant, spicy chai tea complements the gingerbread's warm spices perfectly, creating a cozy flavor harmony that enhances the cake's rich, molasses-based profile.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: The cold, creamy sweetness of vanilla ice cream provides a delightful contrast to the warm, spicy gingerbread, balancing the cake's intense flavors and offering a luxurious texture experience.
• Serve with Caramel Espresso: A strong, slightly bitter espresso with a caramel undertone beautifully echoes the butterscotch sauce, cutting through the cake's sweetness and adding depth to each bite.
• Accompany with Mulled Wine: A warm, spiced red wine brings out the gingerbread's holiday spirit, its rich, fruity notes complementing the cake's deep, warming spices and creating a truly festive dessert moment.

Creative Gingerbread Variations to Spice Things Up

• Spiced Apple Gingerbread: Replace hot water with apple cider and fold in diced fresh apples for a fruity, seasonal variation that adds natural sweetness and texture to the classic gingerbread recipe.
• Chocolate Ginger Cake: Incorporate cocoa powder into the dry ingredients and mix dark chocolate chips into the batter for a rich, decadent version that complements the warm spices.
• Nutty Ginger Crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top of the batter before baking and create a crunchy streusel topping with additional nuts, brown sugar, and a touch of cinnamon for extra depth and crunch.
• Maple Ginger Glaze: Swap the butterscotch sauce with a maple-infused glaze by replacing some of the sugar with pure maple syrup and adding a dash of ground ginger for an intense, woodsy flavor profile.

Gingerbread Brings Holiday Spice to Every Bite

• Savor Spicy Warmth: Gingerbread delivers a robust, comforting flavor profile with layers of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves that dance delightfully on your taste buds.
• Master Easy Baking: This recipe requires simple mixing techniques, making it perfect for home bakers of all skill levels who want a delicious dessert without complicated steps.
• Elevate with Butterscotch Sauce: The rich, golden butterscotch drizzle transforms the classic gingerbread into an extraordinary treat, adding luxurious sweetness and depth to every bite.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: From start to finish, this dessert comes together in under an hour, making it ideal for spontaneous gatherings, holiday celebrations, or cozy weekend indulgences.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Classic Gingerbread

• All-Purpose Flour: A staple baking ingredient that provides structure and texture to the gingerbread cake.
• Ground Ginger, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ground Cloves: Warm spices that create the classic gingerbread flavor profile.
• Baking Soda, Salt: Essential leavening and seasoning agents for proper cake rise and balanced taste.

• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and moisture to the cake, best when melted for smooth incorporation.
• Brown Sugar: Provides deep caramel-like sweetness and helps keep the cake moist.
• Molasses: Gives the gingerbread its signature dark color and rich, deep flavor.
• Hot Water: Helps activate spices and creates a tender cake texture.
• Large Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to the cake's structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity.

• Unsalted Butter, Brown Sugar, Salt, Whipping Cream, Vanilla Extract: Classic butterscotch sauce components that create a rich, sweet, and creamy topping for the gingerbread cake.

Gingerbread Instructions for Perfectly Soft Slices

Step 1: Create The Magical Dry Mixture

• Flour
• Ginger
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Cloves
• Baking soda
• Salt

Whisk these ingredients until perfectly blended and no lumps remain.

Step 2: Craft The Liquid Gold Base

• Melted butter
• Brown sugar
• Molasses
• Hot water

Whisk until the mixture becomes smooth and well incorporated.

Step 3: Unite Wet And Dry Ingredients

Carefully add eggs and vanilla extract to the wet mixture, whisking gently.

Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, creating a silky, thin batter.

Ensure no dry pockets remain in the mixture.

Step 4: Bake To Perfection

Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly.

Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

Allow cake to cool slightly in the pan.

Step 5: Whip Up Decadent Butterscotch Sauce

In a saucepan, melt butter over low-medium heat.

Add brown sugar and salt, stirring until sugar dissolves.

Bring to a gentle boil.

Whisk in whipping cream and let boil for one minute.

Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

Step 6: Serve With Excitement

Slice warm gingerbread cake.

Drizzle generously with butterscotch sauce.

Optional: Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Enjoy your delightful creation!

Tips to Get the Best Texture in Your Gingerbread

• Measure Ingredients Precisely: Use exact measurements for spices to ensure the perfect balance of warm, aromatic flavors in your gingerbread.
• Control Moisture Carefully: Mix wet and dry ingredients just until combined to prevent a tough, dense cake texture.
• Prevent Burning: Check the cake early and use a light-colored pan to avoid over-browning the edges while maintaining a moist interior.
• Create Smooth Sauce: Stir butterscotch sauce constantly and keep heat low to prevent sugar from crystallizing or burning.
• Enhance Serving Temperature: Warm the cake slightly before serving to intensify the spice flavors and create a more luxurious dessert experience.

How to Store and Reheat Leftover Gingerbread the Smart Way

• Refrigerate: Store leftover gingerbread cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Cover the cake with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out and absorbing other refrigerator odors.
• Freeze: Wrap individual cake slices in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Gingerbread cake can be frozen for up to 3 months. Label the container with the date for easy tracking.
• Reheat: Warm refrigerated or thawed cake slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. For a crispier texture, use the oven by preheating to 300°F and warming slices for 5-7 minutes. Drizzle fresh butterscotch sauce before serving to restore moisture and enhance flavor.

Gingerbread Recipe

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• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Hearty German gingerbread cookies bring winter warmth to holiday celebrations. Spiced with cinnamon, cloves, and molasses, these traditional treats deliver rich comfort that connects generations around festive tables.

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Ingredients

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Flour and Spices:

• 2 ⅓ cups (560 ml) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 ml) molasses
• 1 cup (240 ml) hot water
• ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup (220 g) brown sugar (light or dark)

Butterscotch Sauce:

• ⅓ cup (75 g) unsalted butter
• ¾ cup (170 g) brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ⅔ cup (160 ml) whipping cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare the gingerbread cake by thoroughly combining all dry ingredients in a spacious mixing vessel, ensuring even distribution of spices like ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
2. Separately, whisk together melted butter, rich molasses, and warm water until the mixture develops a smooth, glossy consistency.
3. Incorporate eggs and vanilla extract into the liquid blend, stirring carefully to prevent egg curdling from excessive heat.
4. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, creating a light, fluid batter with a silky texture.
5. Generously coat a rectangular baking pan with butter and flour, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
6. Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly to create a uniform depth.
7. Slide the pan into a preheated oven set at 350°F, allowing the cake to bake for approximately 35 minutes until a testing skewer emerges clean.
8. While the cake bakes, craft the butterscotch sauce by melting butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over gentle heat.
9. Introduce brown sugar and a pinch of salt, stirring continuously until the sugar dissolves and transforms into a molten caramel-like consistency.
10. Stream in whipping cream, whisking vigorously to create a glossy, integrated sauce.
11. Remove the sauce from heat and infuse with vanilla extract for enhanced depth of flavor.
12. Once the gingerbread cake has cooled slightly, slice into generous portions.
13. Drizzle warm butterscotch sauce over each slice, creating an indulgent presentation.
14. Optional: Crown with a dollop of whipped cream and a delicate sprinkle of ground cinnamon for an extra layer of decadence.

Notes

• Whisk carefully to prevent egg scrambling when combining wet ingredients.
• Use room temperature eggs for smoother batter integration.
• Check cake doneness by inserting a toothpick near the center, ensuring minimal crumbs.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 346
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 157 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 42 mg