Description
This easy gingerbread cake recipe delivers a moist and spiced cake with a deep molasses flavor. Perfect for holidays or any cozy occasion, this homemade gingerbread cake is simple to make and tastes even better the next day.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all purpose flour (approx. 250 g)
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp grated nutmeg
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp fine salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 3/4 cup unsulphured molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup milk or buttermilk
- 1/2 cup very hot water or hot coffee
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Optional: zest of 1 orange, handful of chopped crystallized ginger
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Grease a 9×9 inch pan and line the base with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, whisk melted butter and brown sugar until glossy.
- Whisk in molasses, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Pour in milk or buttermilk and whisk.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and whisk gently.
- Slowly stream in the hot water or coffee while whisking until the batter is pourable and silky.
- Fold in orange zest and crystallized ginger, if using. A few lumps are fine.
- Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and level the top. Tap the pan gently on the counter.
- Bake for 30 to 38 minutes, or until a tester comes out with moist crumbs.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes on a rack.
- Lift the cake out using the parchment paper or loosen edges with a knife and cool completely.
Notes
- Grease molasses measuring cup with oil for easier release.
- Use very hot water, not boiling, to prevent a gummy batter.
- Metal pans brown more than glass; glass pans may require a few extra minutes of baking.
- For a different flavor, try hot coffee instead of hot water.
- A dusting of powdered sugar can make the cake look festive.
- For a dairy-free version, use oil instead of butter and plant-based milk.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg