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The heart of a great gingerbread cake lies in its ingredients. You need to know what makes it special. The basic ingredients for a gingerbread cake include flour, sugar, butter, eggs, molasses, and buttermilk. Each of these adds a key element to the cake. Flour gives structure, while sugar adds sweetness. Butter keeps the cake moist, and eggs act as a binder.

Gingerbread Cake

Impress your holiday guests with a delicious Gingerbread Cake that will become a seasonal favorite! This blog post shares the essential ingredients, a step-by-step guide, and creative variations to make your cake unforgettable. Plus, discover fun decorating tips to add a personal touch. Dive into the joy of holiday baking and create a centerpiece that warms hearts. Click through to explore the full recipe and start your festive baking adventure today!

Ingredients
  

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

2 teaspoons ground ginger

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar, packed

1/2 cup molasses

2 large eggs

1 cup buttermilk

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Instructions
 

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan or two 9-inch round cake pans.

    In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Set aside.

      In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar together using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.

        Add the molasses and eggs to the butter mixture, mixing well until fully combined. Then add the vanilla extract and stir until incorporated.

          Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk. Start and finish with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined. Do not overmix to maintain a moist texture.

            Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan(s) evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes (for round pans) or 40-45 minutes (for the rectangular pan), or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

              Remove from the oven and let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

                Optional: While the cake cools, prepare a simple cream cheese frosting by beating together 8 oz of cream cheese, 1/4 cup of softened butter, 2 cups of powdered sugar, and a splash of vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.

                  - Presentation Tips: Once cooled, frost the gingerbread cake with cream cheese frosting. Decorate with candied ginger pieces or sprinkle with powdered sugar for a festive touch. Serve slices on decorative plates and accompany with a dollop of whipped cream.

                    Prep Time: 20 min | Total Time: 1 hr 10 min | Servings: 12-16