Description
This easy Gingerbread Cake recipe is the perfect holiday dessert! A moist, richly spiced cake made with dark molasses and brown sugar, topped with tangy cream cheese frosting. Great for a quick dessert, festive dinner ideas, or cozy winter breakfast ideas. Whether you need a reliable easy recipe for guests or comforting food ideas to bake ahead, this one brings all the warm flavors you love.
Ingredients
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
2/3 cup dark molasses
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup cream cheese frosting (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a square 9-inch baking pan. Line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with the dark brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Then mix in the molasses, sour cream, and vanilla extract until smooth.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Do not overmix.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Let the cake cool completely. Spread cream cheese frosting evenly on top and decorate as desired.
Notes
For best flavor, use unsulphured dark molasses (not blackstrap).
You can replace sour cream with Greek yogurt or buttermilk.
The cake gets better after resting a day—ideal for make-ahead prep.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: gingerbread cake, easy recipe, holiday dessert, molasses cake, Christmas cake