This Gingerbread Cake is a delightful holiday treat that you’ll want to bake throughout the season. This easy-to-make, incredibly moist gingerbread cake is crowned with an irresistible brown sugar cream cheese frosting. It’s simple, perfect for sharing with loved ones, and embodies the warm, comforting flavors of Christmas!
Looking for more festive holiday cake recipes? Check out our Cranberry Cake with Warm Butter Sauce for a comforting treat, or our Cranberry Orange Cheesecake for a tangy and creamy dessert!
Gingerbread is truly one of my absolute favorite flavors during the holiday season. When I began planning my holiday baking this year, I knew that creating a gingerbread cake was an absolute must.
Initially, I had envisioned crafting a beautiful, multi-layered cake. However, the more I contemplated the idea, the more I realized that a simple sheet cake would be the ideal approach. Don’t get me wrong, I certainly appreciate a stunning layer cake and occasionally indulge in making them. But deep down, I’m more of a fan of simpler recipes. I need recipes that are straightforward, easy to execute, and don’t demand intricate or time-consuming decorating techniques.
As it turns out, opting for a sheet cake was absolutely the right decision. This gingerbread cake has quickly become one of my all-time favorite dessert creations. After experimenting with the recipe several times, I finally achieved the perfectly moist and richly spiced cake that I had been striving for. And let me tell you, the brown sugar cream cheese frosting truly elevates this cake to another level of deliciousness!
This gingerbread cake is a fantastic option for holiday gatherings and entertaining guests. But honestly, it’s so incredibly delicious that you can easily justify making it anytime you’re craving a comforting dessert that captures the essence of Christmas.
Key Ingredients for the Best Gingerbread Cake
Let’s break down the essential ingredients you’ll need to create this amazing Gingerbread Cake. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect flavor and texture.
- Flour: For this cake, all-purpose flour works perfectly. It provides the necessary structure for a tender and moist crumb.
- Baking Powder, Baking Soda, and Salt: These three ingredients are essential for achieving the right rise and texture in your cake. They also work together to balance the overall flavor profile, preventing it from being overly sweet.
- Spices: The quintessential gingerbread flavor comes from a blend of ground ginger, cinnamon, and ground cloves. For an extra touch of warmth, we’ll also add a little more cinnamon to the cream cheese frosting.
- Sugar: This recipe uses a combination of granulated sugar and brown sugar in the cake. The granulated sugar provides sweetness and structure, while the brown sugar adds a deeper molasses flavor and contributes to the cake’s moistness. For the frosting, you’ll need additional brown sugar to create that signature flavor, as well as powdered sugar for the right consistency.
- Butter: I prefer using unsalted butter in baking so that I have complete control over the salt content. The butter is melted for the cake, so there’s no need to soften it beforehand. However, you’ll need softened butter for the frosting to ensure a smooth and creamy texture.
- Oil: You can use any neutral-flavored cooking oil for this cake. I often use avocado oil, but vegetable oil works just as well. The oil helps to keep the cake incredibly moist.
- Molasses: Make sure you’re using unsulphured molasses, which is the type you’ll typically find at your local grocery store. Molasses is the star ingredient that provides the classic gingerbread flavor.
- Eggs: I use large eggs in this recipe. For best results, ensure that the eggs are at room temperature before adding them to the batter. This helps them incorporate more evenly, resulting in a smoother batter and a more tender cake.
- Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor of both the cake and the frosting, adding a touch of warmth and complexity.
- Boiling Water: You may have noticed that some chocolate cake recipes call for the addition of boiling water. This technique is often used to intensify the chocolate flavor. In this gingerbread cake, we’re adding boiling water to achieve an incredibly moist and tender texture. The hot water helps to dissolve the sugars and spices, creating a more even distribution of flavor and moisture throughout the cake.
- Cream Cheese: The cream cheese is the base for our decadent brown sugar cream cheese frosting. Be sure to use a full-fat, 8-ounce brick of cream cheese for the best results.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Perfect Gingerbread Cake
Ready to bake your own amazing Gingerbread Cake? Follow these simple steps for a foolproof recipe.
STEP 1: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and all the spices (ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves). Ensure everything is well combined and set this mixture aside.
STEP 2: In a separate, larger bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, and oil. You can use a handheld whisk for this step, or if you prefer, an electric mixer. Mix until the ingredients are well combined and slightly creamy.
STEP 3: Add the molasses to the sugar and butter mixture and mix until everything is thoroughly combined. Then, add the eggs and vanilla extract and continue to mix until the batter is smooth.
STEP 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. At this point, I recommend switching to a spatula and mixing gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter. Keep in mind that the batter will be quite thick at this stage.
STEP 5: Carefully pour the boiling water into the bowl with the batter and mix until everything is fully combined. The batter will become much thinner and more liquid at this stage.
STEP 6: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking. Then, pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake until a wooden skewer or cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean. This usually takes around 30-35 minutes.
Once the cake is baked, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan before frosting.
STEP 7: While the cake is cooling, prepare the brown sugar cream cheese frosting. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for ensuring a smooth and creamy frosting.
Then, gradually add in the brown sugar and continue to beat until the sugar is completely dissolved. This may take a few minutes, but it’s important for preventing a grainy texture in the frosting.
Once the brown sugar is fully incorporated, gradually beat in the powdered sugar, adding it in small increments until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. Finally, add the vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt and mix until everything is well combined.
STEP 8: Once the cake has cooled completely, spread the brown sugar cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. You can serve the cake immediately, or refrigerate it for later. The frosting will firm up slightly in the refrigerator, making it easier to slice and serve.
Expert Tips and Tricks for the Best Gingerbread Cake
Here are some additional tips and tricks to help you achieve gingerbread cake perfection!
This gingerbread cake can be served at room temperature or chilled. I personally enjoy it both ways! Serving it chilled allows the flavors to meld together even more, while serving it at room temperature brings out the warmth and spice of the cake.
For a simple and elegant decoration, I like to top the cake with sugared cranberries. However, honestly, this cake is so delicious that no decoration is truly needed! You could even simply add a light sprinkle of cinnamon over the top for a festive touch.
While I absolutely adore the brown sugar cream cheese frosting, this cake would also be incredibly delicious without it! If you want to keep things super simple, you can certainly serve the cake plain. It’s still packed with flavor and incredibly moist.
To store the gingerbread cake, cover it tightly and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This will help to keep the cake fresh and moist.
More Irresistible Gingerbread Recipes
If you’re a gingerbread lover like me, be sure to check out these other delicious gingerbread-inspired recipes:
Gingerbread Cupcakes: These cupcakes combine the best of both worlds – the warm spice of gingerbread with the fun and portable nature of cupcakes.
Gingerbread Waffle Recipe with Lemon Sauce: Start your day with a festive twist by making these gingerbread waffles topped with a zesty lemon sauce.
Soft Ginger Cookies: These soft and chewy ginger cookies are perfect for sharing or enjoying as a sweet treat any time of day.
LOOKING FOR MORE FREE RECIPES?
Subscribe to my free recipe newsletter to get new family friendly recipes in your inbox each week! Find me sharing more family-friendly inspiration on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram.
