Delicious Gingerbread Molasses Spice Cake for Holidays

Gingerbread Molasses Spice Cake

Gingerbread Molasses Spice Cake is a delightful treat that brings the warmth of the holidays right to your kitchen. This festive cake is filled with rich molasses flavor and an array of warm spices. It features layers of buttery brown sugar frosting topped with a delicious caramel drip and charming gingerbread cookie decorations. It’s perfect for sharing with family and friends during Christmas celebrations, making it a must-have recipe for your holiday baking list.

Why You’ll Love This Gingerbread Molasses Spice Cake

This gingerbread cake is not just any dessert; it’s a spiced gingerbread dessert that captures the essence of holiday cheer. Here’s why you’ll adore it:

  • Rich, moist texture that melts in your mouth.
  • Infused with the warm flavors of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
  • Perfectly complements holiday festivities and gatherings.
  • Simple to make with accessible ingredients.
  • Ideal for both kids and adults, making it a family favorite.
  • Can be customized with various toppings and decorations.

This is the best gingerbread molasses cake for holidays, and it’s sure to impress your guests!

Ingredients for Gingerbread Molasses Spice Cake

Gather these items to create your delicious cake:

  • 420 g all-purpose flour
  • 8 g ground ginger
  • 6 g ground cinnamon
  • 2 g ground cloves
  • 2 g ground nutmeg
  • 2 g baking soda
  • 8 g baking powder
  • 2 g fine salt
  • 227 g unsalted butter, softened
  • 220 g packed light brown sugar
  • 135 g granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 7 ml vanilla extract
  • 280 g unsulphured molasses
  • 320 ml buttermilk, room temperature
  • 300 g unsalted butter, room temperature (for brown sugar buttercream)
  • 120 g packed light brown sugar (for buttercream)
  • 560 g powdered sugar, sifted
  • 45–60 ml heavy cream, as needed
  • 7 ml vanilla extract (for buttercream)
  • 1 pinch fine salt (for buttercream)
  • 135 g granulated sugar (for caramel drip)
  • 57 g unsalted butter, cut into pieces (for caramel drip)
  • 80 ml heavy cream, room temperature (for caramel drip)
  • 1 pinch fine salt (for caramel drip)
  • 3 ml vanilla extract (for caramel drip)
  • mini gingerbread people cookies (for garnish)
  • royal icing, optional, for detailing

How to Make Gingerbread Molasses Spice Cake Step-by-Step

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 175°C. Grease four 15 cm round cake pans, line the bases with parchment, and lightly dust the sides with flour.
  2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Set aside.
  3. Step 3: In a stand mixer, beat softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar for 3 minutes until pale and fluffy.
  4. Step 4: Mix in eggs one at a time, scraping the bowl after each addition. Blend in vanilla extract and molasses until smooth.
  5. Step 5: With mixer on low, alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk in three additions, starting and ending with dry mixture. Mix until just combined.
  6. Step 6: Divide batter evenly among prepared pans (about 400 g each). Bake for 20–24 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely on wire racks.
  7. Step 7: To make the buttercream: beat butter and brown sugar for 4 minutes until glossy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla, salt, and cream. Whip until fluffy.
  8. Step 8: To make caramel drip: caramelize sugar until amber, stir in butter, then cream carefully. Add salt and vanilla, and cool until thick yet pourable.
  9. Step 9: Level cake tops if needed. Stack layers with about 180 ml buttercream between each. Apply a thin crumb coat and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
  10. Step 10: Apply a smooth second layer of buttercream. Drizzle cooled caramel along the top edge for drip effect.
  11. Step 11: Pipe buttercream dots and arrange mini gingerbread cookies on top. Decorate with royal icing if desired. Chill for 15 minutes before slicing.

Pro Tips for the Best Gingerbread Molasses Spice Cake

Keep these in mind:

  • This cake is perfect for holiday celebrations.
  • Store in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
  • For a unique twist, consider adding chopped nuts or dried fruits.

Best Ways to Serve Gingerbread Molasses Spice Cake

Enjoy your cake with:

  • A dollop of whipped cream for extra richness.
  • Vanilla ice cream to balance the spices.
  • Warm apple cider for a cozy pairing.

How to Store and Reheat Gingerbread Molasses Spice Cake

To keep your cake fresh, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, refrigerate it. When ready to serve, let it come to room temperature or warm it slightly in the microwave for a few seconds. This is especially nice if you enjoy a moist gingerbread molasses cake.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gingerbread Molasses Spice Cake

What is gingerbread molasses spice cake?

This cake blends the rich flavor of molasses with traditional gingerbread spices, resulting in a moist and flavorful dessert that’s perfect for any holiday gathering.

Can I make gingerbread molasses spice cake ahead of time?

Absolutely! This cake can be made a day in advance. Just ensure to store it properly to maintain its moisture and flavor.

How do I avoid common mistakes with gingerbread molasses spice cake?

Ensure your ingredients are at room temperature and don’t overmix the batter. This will help keep your cake light and fluffy.

Variations of Gingerbread Molasses Spice Cake You Can Try

Here are some fun variations to experiment with:

  • Make a spicy ginger molasses cake by adding cayenne pepper for an extra kick.
  • Create a traditional gingerbread molasses cake by using only ginger and cinnamon.
  • Try a gingerbread cake with a hint of molasses for a lighter flavor.

Whatever your choice, this cake is sure to be a hit at your holiday festivities!

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Delicious Gingerbread Molasses Spice Cake for Holidays

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This festive Gingerbread Molasses Spice Cake features warm holiday spices, rich molasses flavor, and layers of brown sugar buttercream finished with a caramel drip and adorable gingerbread cookie garnish.

  • Author: Olivia
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 65 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale
  • 420 g all-purpose flour
  • 8 g ground ginger
  • 6 g ground cinnamon
  • 2 g ground cloves
  • 2 g ground nutmeg
  • 2 g baking soda
  • 8 g baking powder
  • 2 g fine salt
  • 227 g unsalted butter, softened
  • 220 g packed light brown sugar
  • 135 g granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 7 ml vanilla extract
  • 280 g unsulphured molasses
  • 320 ml buttermilk, room temperature
  • 300 g unsalted butter, room temperature (for brown sugar buttercream)
  • 120 g packed light brown sugar (for buttercream)
  • 560 g powdered sugar, sifted
  • 4560 ml heavy cream, as needed
  • 7 ml vanilla extract (for buttercream)
  • 1 pinch fine salt (for buttercream)
  • 135 g granulated sugar (for caramel drip)
  • 57 g unsalted butter, cut into pieces (for caramel drip)
  • 80 ml heavy cream, room temperature (for caramel drip)
  • 1 pinch fine salt (for caramel drip)
  • 3 ml vanilla extract (for caramel drip)
  • mini gingerbread people cookies (for garnish)
  • royal icing, optional, for detailing

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 175°C. Grease four 15 cm round cake pans, line the bases with parchment, and lightly dust the sides with flour.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Set aside.
  3. In a stand mixer, beat softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar for 3 minutes until pale and fluffy.
  4. Mix in eggs one at a time, scraping the bowl after each addition. Blend in vanilla extract and molasses until smooth.
  5. With mixer on low, alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk in three additions, starting and ending with dry mixture. Mix until just combined.
  6. Divide batter evenly among prepared pans (about 400 g each). Bake for 20–24 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely on wire racks.
  7. To make the buttercream: beat butter and brown sugar for 4 minutes until glossy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla, salt, and cream. Whip until fluffy.
  8. To make caramel drip: caramelize sugar until amber, stir in butter, then cream carefully. Add salt and vanilla, and cool until thick yet pourable.
  9. Level cake tops if needed. Stack layers with about 180 ml buttercream between each. Apply a thin crumb coat and refrigerate 20 minutes.
  10. Apply a smooth second layer of buttercream. Drizzle cooled caramel along the top edge for drip effect.
  11. Pipe buttercream dots and arrange mini gingerbread cookies on top. Decorate with royal icing if desired. Chill 15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

  • This cake is perfect for holiday celebrations.
  • Store in an airtight container to maintain freshness.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 620 kcal
  • Sugar: 48 g
  • Sodium: 320 mg
  • Fat: 32 g
  • Saturated Fat: 20 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 78 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg

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Hi! I’m Margaret!

A passionate home cook and food lover who loves nothing more than sharing my favourite recipes with the world.

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