Description
Homemade gingerbread cake transports winter memories with warm spices and rich molasses. Sweet nostalgia fills kitchens with comforting aromas you’ll savor from first delicious bite to last crumb.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 large eggs
Spices and Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
Liquid and Binding Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9-inch cake pan by greasing and lightly flouring the interior.
- Combine all dry ingredients including flour, sugar, ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to ensure even distribution of spices.
- In a separate bowl, cream softened butter until smooth, then incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
- Pour molasses, milk, and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, stirring until all liquid ingredients are fully integrated and the batter appears uniform.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently to create a smooth, spice-laden batter without overmixing.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared cake pan, spreading it evenly and ensuring no air pockets remain.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean with minimal crumbs.
- Remove from oven and allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional: Dust with powdered sugar or top with a cream cheese frosting before serving.
Notes
- Enhance the cake’s moisture by replacing milk with buttermilk, which adds tangy richness and helps create a softer texture.
- Experiment with gluten-free flour blends to make this recipe suitable for those with wheat sensitivities, ensuring a similar dense and spicy profile.
- Toast ground spices briefly before mixing to intensify their warm, aromatic qualities and elevate the overall flavor complexity of the gingerbread cake.
- Add finely chopped crystallized ginger to the batter for extra zingy bursts of flavor and interesting textural elements that complement the cake’s soft crumb.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg