Description
Rich holiday “Gingerbread Cake” celebrates warm spices and festive memories, blending molasses, cinnamon, and ginger into a comforting dessert. Guests will savor classic flavors that dance with nostalgia and bring winter cheer to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups (315g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup (120ml) molasses
- 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup (240ml) hot water
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Leavening Agents:
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350°F and prepare three 8-inch cake pans by coating with oil and lining with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Create a fragrant dry mixture by thoroughly blending flour, baking powder, baking soda, and a medley of warm spices including ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and a pinch of salt in a spacious mixing bowl.
- In a separate vessel, whisk together liquid ingredients – vegetable oil, rich molasses, dark brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract – until the mixture achieves a silky, uniform consistency.
- Gradually introduce hot water into the liquid blend, stirring carefully to maintain a smooth texture.
- Gently fold the dry spice mixture into the wet ingredients, using delicate strokes to combine without overmixing, which could result in a dense cake.
- Distribute the aromatic batter evenly across the prepared cake pans, ensuring balanced layers.
- Slide the pans into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean and free of raw batter.
- Remove cakes from the oven and allow them to cool completely on wire racks, which prevents soggy bottoms and prepares them for frosting.
Notes
- Always measure spices precisely for the perfect balance of warm, cozy flavors that define gingerbread.
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature to help them blend smoothly and create a more consistent cake texture.
- Use unsulphured molasses for a cleaner, less bitter flavor that complements the spices beautifully.
- When mixing, fold ingredients gently to keep the cake light and tender, preventing a dense or tough final result.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg