This Spiced Gingerbread Wreath Cake is a holiday classic that combines the warmth of ginger and cinnamon with the rich, deep flavor of molasses. Its perfect texture and festive appeal make it a delightful dessert for any winter occasion, especially during the holiday season. This cake not only fills your home with a delicious aroma but also creates the perfect centerpiece for family gatherings, Christmas parties, or as a thoughtful homemade gift. The spiced layers offer a cozy, indulgent experience that pairs wonderfully with a cup of hot tea or coffee.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Holiday Flavor: The combination of ground ginger, cinnamon, and molasses gives this cake a deliciously spiced flavor that screams festive warmth.
- Easy to Make: With just a few simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, you can whip up this cake in no time.
- Moist & Tender: The addition of molasses and butter creates a moist cake with a rich texture that everyone will love.
- A Stunning Presentation: This cake can be served as a wreath, making it a beautiful centerpiece for your holiday table.
- Versatile: It’s a perfect treat for any occasion — from Christmas to winter birthdays or cozy afternoon teas.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Ground ginger
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground cloves
- Ground nutmeg
- Salt
- Unsalted butter, room temperature
- Light-brown sugar, packed
- Eggs
- Unsulfured molasses
- Hot water
Variations
- Vegan Gingerbread Cake: Substitute butter with vegan butter and use a plant-based egg replacer, such as flaxseed or applesauce, for a dairy-free, egg-free version.
- Add-ins: Consider adding a handful of chopped walnuts, raisins, or dried cranberries for extra texture and flavor.
- Icing: Top with a simple powdered sugar glaze or cream cheese frosting to add an extra sweetness and richness to the cake.
How to Make the Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a 9-inch round cake pan to prevent the cake from sticking.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the unsalted butter and light-brown sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 3 minutes.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Molasses
Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is well incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the molasses until fully combined.
Step 5: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients and Hot Water
Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the hot water. Begin and end with the flour mixture, mixing until just combined after each addition.
Step 6: Bake the Cake
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Step 7: Cool the Cake
Allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Then, turn the cake out onto the wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Tips for Making the Recipe
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure that your butter and eggs are at room temperature before starting to get the best texture in the batter.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the batter can result in a dense cake. Mix just until combined.
- Check for Doneness: Test for doneness with a toothpick; if it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, the cake is ready.
- Flour Your Pan: Flour your cake pan in addition to greasing it to ensure the cake doesn’t stick after baking.
How to Serve
This cake is perfect for serving as is, but for an extra touch, serve it with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. A dusting of powdered sugar or a simple glaze can elevate its appearance for a more festive presentation. Enjoy it with a hot drink like spiced cider or your favorite holiday beverage.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate the cake for up to a week.
Freezing
You can freeze the cake for up to 3 months. Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe bag. To serve, let it thaw at room temperature for a few hours.
Reheating
To reheat, simply place slices in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes.
FAQs
- Can I make this cake ahead of time? Yes, this cake stores well and can be made a day or two ahead of time.
- Can I use a different pan size? You can use a square or rectangular pan, but adjust the baking time accordingly.
- Can I substitute brown sugar with white sugar? Brown sugar gives the cake a rich flavor, but you can substitute white sugar if necessary, although the taste might slightly differ.
- Can I use self-rising flour instead of all-purpose flour? Yes, but omit the baking powder and baking soda if using self-rising flour.
- Is this cake vegan? No, but you can substitute the butter and eggs for vegan alternatives to make it vegan-friendly.
- How do I make this cake less sweet? Reduce the amount of brown sugar slightly, but keep in mind the molasses adds to the sweetness.
- Can I add frosting to this cake? Yes, you can frost it with a simple glaze or cream cheese frosting for added sweetness.
- How can I make this cake spicier? Add an extra teaspoon of ginger or cinnamon for more spice.
- Is this cake gluten-free? No, but you can try using a gluten-free flour blend as a substitute.
- Can I use maple syrup instead of molasses? Molasses is essential for the characteristic flavor, but maple syrup can be used in a pinch for a slightly different taste.
Conclusion
This Spiced Gingerbread Wreath Cake is an ideal treat for the holiday season, offering rich flavors, a beautiful presentation, and simple preparation. Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering or looking for the perfect dessert to enjoy with family, this cake will not disappoint. With a few easy tweaks, you can personalize it to your taste. Enjoy the warmth of molasses and spices, and delight in the festive touch it brings to your celebrations.
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Spiced Gingerbread Wreath Cake
- Total Time: 45-50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
This Spiced Gingerbread Wreath Cake is a festive, aromatic dessert perfect for the holiday season. With a warm blend of ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and molasses, it brings the cozy flavors of Christmas right to your table. A moist, flavorful cake that’s sure to be the centerpiece of any holiday gathering.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup unsulfured molasses
- 1/2 cup hot water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs and molasses until smooth.
- Gradually beat in the flour mixture, alternating with hot water, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- If you’d like, you can decorate the cake with a dusting of powdered sugar, whipped cream, or festive sprinkles to create a wreath look.
- This cake pairs beautifully with a cream cheese frosting or a simple glaze made with powdered sugar and milk.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes