Gingerbread Cake

The holiday season isn’t complete without those cozy, nostalgic flavors that transport us to festive gatherings, cold nights, and cheerful lights. Enter: Gingerbread Cake, a richly spiced, moist cake topped with fluffy frosting and garnished with adorable gingerbread men. It’s like a warm holiday hug in every bite! Whether you serve it at your holiday dinner or gift it to friends, this dessert will quickly become a seasonal favorite.

If you’re craving a dessert that blends sweet molasses, festive spices, and creamy frosting, this gingerbread cake will check every box. Ready to make your holidays sweeter? Let’s get baking!

Why You’ll Love This Gingerbread Cake

1. Packed with Holiday Flavors: The combination of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves brings that signature warm and aromatic taste.
2. Moist and Tender Texture: Thanks to molasses and vegetable oil, this cake stays soft for days.
3. Beautiful Presentation: The frosting swirls and decorative gingerbread men make this cake the perfect showstopper for your dessert table.
4. Customizable: Want to swap ingredients or add extra flair? I’ve got you covered with easy substitutions and fun decorating ideas.

What Does Gingerbread Cake Taste Like?

Imagine the deep, cozy warmth of gingerbread cookies, but in cake form. This dessert has hints of caramel sweetness from molasses and a perfect balance of spices. Each bite melts in your mouth with an indulgent softness, thanks to the oil-based batter and fluffy buttercream frosting. Paired with a hot drink by the fireplace, this cake tastes like pure holiday joy!

Ingredients for Gingerbread Cake

For the Cake:

• 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
• ½ cup (120ml) molasses
• ½ cup (100g) brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240ml) hot water

For the Frosting:

• 1 ½ cups (340g) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups (375g) powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3-4 tablespoons heavy cream
• Pinch of salt

Optional: Gingerbread Men Cookies

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (100g) brown sugar
• ½ cup (120ml) molasses
• 1 large egg

Tools You’ll Need

• Three 8-inch round cake pans
• Mixing bowls (large and medium)
• Hand mixer or stand mixer
• Spatula
• Cooling racks
• Serrated knife (for leveling the cake)
• Piping bags (for decorating with frosting)
• Cookie cutters (for optional gingerbread men)

How to Make Gingerbread Cake

this Recipe

Prepare the Cake

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and line three 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices (ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves), and salt.
3. Mix wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the oil, molasses, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Slowly add the hot water and stir until combined.
4. Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing!
5. Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Cool: Let the cakes cool completely on wire racks before frosting.

Make the Frosting

1. Beat the butter until smooth and creamy (2-3 minutes).
2. Add powdered sugar gradually, mixing on low speed. Stir in the vanilla extract, salt, and heavy cream (1 tablespoon at a time) until your desired consistency is reached.
3. Whip on high for 2-3 minutes to achieve a light, fluffy texture.

Assemble the Cake

1. Level the cake layers using a serrated knife to remove any domed tops.
2. Layer the cake: Spread a thick layer of frosting between each cake layer for a luscious filling.
3. Crumb coat: Apply a thin layer of frosting to seal in crumbs. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
4. Final frosting: Spread a thicker layer of frosting on the cake and smooth with a spatula.

Optional: Make Gingerbread Men Cookies

1. Mix dry ingredients: Whisk together the flour, spices, baking soda, and salt.
2. Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the molasses and egg, mixing well.
3. Combine the mixtures: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Chill the dough for at least 1 hour.
4. Roll out the dough and use cookie cutters to shape gingerbread men.
5. Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 8-10 minutes. Let the cookies cool before decorating with royal icing.

What to Serve with Gingerbread Cake

This cake pairs beautifully with:

• Spiced lattes (like chai or pumpkin spice)
• Hot chocolate with marshmallows
• Mulled wine or eggnog
• A dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat

Tips for Perfect Gingerbread Cake

• Room temperature ingredients: Make sure your eggs and butter are at room temperature for easy mixing.
• Don’t overmix the batter: Stir just until the ingredients are combined to prevent a dense cake.
• Refrigerate the cake: Chilling the cake before the final frosting layer ensures a smooth, even finish.
• Decorate with flair: Use colorful sprinkles, edible glitter, or gold dust to make the cake pop!

Storage Instructions

• In the fridge: Store the cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• In the freezer: Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
• Gingerbread cookies: Keep them in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes! You can bake the cake layers 1-2 days in advance. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate.

What can I substitute for molasses?
You can use dark corn syrup or honey, but the flavor will be slightly different.

Can I use gluten-free flour?
Yes! Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for similar results.

How do I prevent my cake from drying out?
Be sure not to overbake it and keep the cake covered or wrapped when storing.

Conclusion

This gingerbread cake is an irresistible combination of moist cake, flavorful spices, and creamy frosting. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or simply treating yourself, this festive dessert will bring warmth and joy to every bite. Plus, those charming little gingerbread men make it all the more special!

If you try this recipe, I’d love to see your creations! Tag me on Pinterest at EMMARECIPES18 and share your festive treats. Don’t forget to leave a review below to let others know how it turned out!

Looking for more holiday inspiration? Try these festive recipes next:

• Christmas Cake – A Festive Masterpiece Bursting with Holiday Flavors and Joy
• Christmas Wreath Cookies
• Chocolate Kiss Cookies

Nutritional Information (Per Slice)

• Calories: 420
• Fat: 18g
• Carbohydrates: 58g
• Protein: 4g
• Sugars: 38g

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