Spiced Gingerbread Layer Cake (Printable version)
A warmly spiced gingerbread cake layered with rich cream cheese frosting, perfect for festive gatherings.
# What You'll Need:
→ Gingerbread Cake
01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 teaspoons ground ginger
03 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
04 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
07 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
11 - 1 cup packed brown sugar
12 - 3/4 cup unsulphured molasses
13 - 3 large eggs, room temperature
14 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
15 - 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
→ Cream Cheese Frosting
16 - 12 ounces cream cheese, softened
17 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
18 - 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
19 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
20 - Pinch of salt
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease, flour, and line bottoms of three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly blended.
03 - In a large bowl, beat softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about three minutes.
04 - Add molasses and mix until combined. Beat in eggs individually, then stir in vanilla extract.
05 - Alternate adding flour mixture and buttermilk to wet ingredients, beginning and ending with flour. Mix gently until just combined to avoid overmixing.
06 - Distribute batter evenly among prepared pans and smooth tops.
07 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
08 - Allow cakes to cool in pans for 10 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
09 - Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt, beating until fluffy.
10 - Place one cake layer on serving plate, spread with frosting. Repeat with remaining layers, finishing with frosting on top and sides.
11 - Add desired decorations such as crystallized ginger, cinnamon, or festive sprinkles.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- This cake feels like sharing a cozy secret, with its perfect balance of spices and sweetness.
- It's surprisingly easy to make yet impresses every time, becoming a holiday tradition fast.
02 -
- Don’t rush the cooling process—assembling warm layers will make the frosting melt and slide off.
- Adding a pinch of black pepper to the batter transformed the flavor profile for me, balancing the sweetness perfectly.
03 -
- Try sifting the flour and spices twice for an extra light crumb.
- The secret that makes all the difference: use room temperature ingredients for smooth, consistent batter mixing.