Description

Rich, warm, and wonderfully spiced, this Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Cake is the ultimate comfort dessert. With bold notes of molasses, ginger, and cinnamon, it’s incredibly moist and easy to make. Topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting, it’s perfect for holidays or whenever you’re craving something nostalgic and cozy. Whether you need easy dinner ideas, a quick dessert for guests, or just a classic holiday bake, this recipe delivers all the flavor without the fuss. It’s one of those easy recipes that quickly becomes a go-to for food ideas, healthy-ish snacks, and festive breakfast treats alike.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 large egg

1/2 cup unsulphured molasses

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup cream cheese frosting (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch pan or line it with parchment paper.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt.

3. In a separate large bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.

4. Add the egg and beat until well combined, then mix in the molasses.

5. Stir in the buttermilk and vanilla extract; the mixture may look slightly curdled—this is normal.

6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined.

7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top evenly.

8. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

9. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before frosting.

10. Spread cream cheese frosting over the top and garnish with cinnamon or chocolate shavings if desired.

Notes

Make sure your spices are fresh—old spices can dull the flavor of the cake.

Let the cake cool completely before frosting to avoid melting the topping.

For added texture, fold in 1/2 cup chopped nuts or candied ginger before baking.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 340
Sugar: 30g
Sodium: 220mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 50g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 60mg

Keywords: gingerbread cake, easy dessert, holiday recipe, molasses cake, spiced cake