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Gingerbread Cake with Cinnamon Molasses Frosting Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 76 reviews

This Gingerbread Cake with Cinnamon Molasses Frosting is a moist, richly spiced dessert perfect for the holiday season or any cozy occasion. The cake combines warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg with the deep flavor of molasses. Topped with a creamy, cinnamon-infused molasses frosting, this cake offers a perfect balance of sweetness and spice, finished with optional decorative toppings such as sprinkles or candied ginger.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup molasses
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk

Frosting Ingredients

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup milk, or more as needed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and salt to ensure the spices and leavening agents are evenly distributed.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 3 to 5 minutes.
  4. Add Eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to maintain a smooth batter.
  5. Incorporate Molasses: Gradually beat in the molasses until the mixture is well combined and richly tinted.
  6. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the hot water and buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overmixing.
  7. Pour and Spread Batter: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly to ensure uniform baking.
  8. Bake the Cake: Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean indicating the cake is done.
  9. Cool the Cake: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Cream Butter for Frosting: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter until smooth and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  11. Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition to incorporate air and ensure a smooth texture.
  12. Add Molasses and Cinnamon: Beat in the molasses and ground cinnamon until fully combined, creating a flavorful frosting base.
  13. Adjust Frosting Consistency: Gradually add milk, one tablespoon at a time, beating to achieve your desired frosting consistency. Stir in vanilla extract for added flavor.
  14. Frost the Cake: Once the cake is completely cooled, spread the cinnamon molasses frosting evenly over the top.
  15. Decorate: Optionally decorate with sprinkles, candied ginger, or a dusting of cinnamon for visual appeal and extra flavor.
  16. Slice and Serve: Cut the cake into squares and serve to enjoy the warm, spiced flavors.
  17. Storage: Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.

Notes

  • Make sure the cake is completely cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
  • You can substitute buttermilk with milk plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar if unavailable.
  • The spices can be adjusted to taste; increase ginger or cinnamon for a stronger spice profile.
  • Leftover cake can also be refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for longer storage.
  • Decorations such as chopped nuts or dried cranberries can add texture and festive flair.

Keywords: Gingerbread Cake, cinnamon molasses frosting, holiday cake, spiced cake, molasses cake, Christmas dessert

Find it online: https://platedandproud.com/gingerbread-cake-with-cinnamon-molasses-frosting-recipe/