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Gingerbread Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 139 reviews

This classic Gingerbread Cake is a moist, spiced treat perfect for cozy gatherings and holiday celebrations. Featuring warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, combined with rich molasses and a tender crumb, it’s topped with a luscious cinnamon cream cheese frosting for an indulgent finish. Easy to bake and layered with smooth, sweet frosting, this cake brings nostalgic flavor and festive cheer to your dessert table.

Ingredients

Scale

Gingerbread Cake

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup molasses
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
  • ⅔ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup applesauce
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • ½ cup whole milk

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 12 oz (1 1/2 packages) cream cheese, room temperature
  • ¾ cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 6 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch cake pans thoroughly and set them aside to be ready for the batter.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt. This ensures the spices and leavening are evenly distributed throughout the flour mixture.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In another large bowl, blend together the molasses, melted butter, and granulated sugar. After they are combined smoothly, add the applesauce, egg, and vanilla extract, beating the mixture well until fully incorporated.
  4. Incorporate Dry and Wet Mixtures: Gradually beat the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, alternating with the vegetable oil and whole milk. This alternating method helps maintain a tender texture in the cake batter.
  5. Pour and Bake: Pour the prepared batter evenly into the greased pans. Bake the cakes for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean, indicating they are fully baked.
  6. Cool the Cake Layers: Allow the cake layers to cool completely in their pans on a cooling rack before applying frosting to avoid melting the frosting.
  7. Prepare Frosting: In a stand mixer or using a hand mixer in a large bowl, cream together the room-temperature butter and cream cheese until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Beat in the maple syrup, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon thoroughly.
  8. Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, about one cup at a time, mixing on low speed to combine. Then increase the mixer speed to high and beat until the frosting becomes light, fluffy, and smooth.
  9. Assemble the Cake: Place one cake layer on your serving plate and spread a thick layer of frosting over it. Top with the second cake layer.
  10. Crumb Coat: Apply a thin crumb coat of frosting around the entire cake to seal in crumbs. Place the cake in the freezer for about 10 minutes to let this layer harden, making final frosting easier.
  11. Final Frosting Layer and Decorate: Apply a thick, even layer of frosting over the cake’s top and sides. Decorate as desired, slice, and serve immediately or store the cake in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Notes

  • For best results, use room temperature ingredients to ensure even mixing and a smooth batter.
  • Use unsalted butter to control saltiness; adjust salt in the recipe if using salted butter.
  • The applesauce replaces some fat and adds moisture while keeping the cake tender.
  • Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
  • Chilling the cake after applying the crumb coat stabilizes the frosting and makes the final icing smoother.
  • Store the finished cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.

Keywords: gingerbread cake, spiced cake, molasses cake, cinnamon cream cheese frosting, holiday cake, moist gingerbread

Find it online: https://hannahdelgado.com/gingerbread-cake-with-cinnamon-cream-cheese-frosting-recipe/