Spiced Gingerbread Layer Cake (Printable)
Festive gingerbread cake with a tangy cream cheese frosting, ideal for holiday celebrations.
# 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
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans; line bottoms with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
03 - Beat butter and brown sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes.
04 - Mix in molasses until combined. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
05 - Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk to wet ingredients, starting and ending with flour mixture. Mix until just combined; avoid overmixing.
06 - Distribute batter evenly among prepared pans and smooth tops. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
07 - Allow cakes to cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
08 - Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt, beating until fluffy.
09 - Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread with frosting. Repeat with remaining layers, finishing by frosting the top and sides.
10 - Decorate as desired with crystallized ginger, cinnamon, or festive sprinkles before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- This cake has the perfect balance of spicy warmth and tangy sweetness that feels like sharing a comforting secret with a friend
- The cream cheese frosting adds a creamy richness that instantly became my go-to for special occasions
02 -
- Don’t overmix the batter once you add the flour; it can make the cake dense instead of tender
- Using room temperature ingredients helps the batter combine smoothly and bake evenly
03 -
- Chilling the frosting for 20 minutes before spreading can make it easier to work with
- The secret to moist layers is not overbaking and ensuring your oven temp is accurate