Gingerbread Cake with Lemon Sauce

User Reviews

5.0

6 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    15 mins

  • Cook Time

    15 mins

  • Additional Time

    2 hrs

  • Total Time

    2 hrs 40 mins

  • Servings

    9 slices

  • Calories

    137 kcal

  • Course

    Dessert

  • Cuisine

    American

Gingerbread Cake with Lemon Sauce

A traditional gingerbread cake with lemon sauce dates back to Colonial Virginia, and has been loved for generations!

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Ingredients

Servings

GINGERBREAD

  • 1 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ cup molasses or sorghum
  • ½ cup boiling water
  • Optional, for serving: lemon sauce (recipe follows), powdered sugar, or whipped cream

LEMON SAUCE

  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 ¼ cups boiling water
  • Zest and Juice from 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons salted butter
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
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Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour an 8-inch or 9-inch square baking pan, spray with nonstick baking spray, or line with parchment paper; set aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, oil, sugar, and molasses.
  4. Add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients; stir just until combined. Do not over-mix.
  5. Pour boiling water over the top of the mixture; stir until smooth.
  6. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan.
  7. Bake for 22-28 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Be careful not to overbake the cake or it will become dry.
  8. Cool on a wire rack before slicing. Dust with powdered sugar, top with a dollop of whipped cream, or drizzle warm lemon sauce over top.

FOR THE LEMON SAUCE

  1. In a small saucepan, whisk together sugar and cornstarch. Gradually add the boiling water.
  2. Place the pan over medium heat on the stovetop. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens.
  3. Remove from the heat. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, butter, and vanilla extract. Whisk just until the butter melts and the sauce is smooth.
  4. Spoon or drizzle the sauce over individual slices of gingerbread.

Notes

  • Be careful not to over-mix the batter. Stir just until combined, but no more. Over-mixing the batter can cause the cake to become tough and dry.
  • For a stronger flavor, increase the ginger and other spices in the cake. You can use 1 tablespoon of ground ginger, as well as extra cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. You might also like to add a dash of allspice.
  • Do not substitute with blackstrap molasses in this recipe. The blackstrap molasses has a different flavor and texture, so it is not an equal substitute.
  • The lemon sauce is an optional topping, but it adds great moisture and flavor to the cake. If you prefer, you can omit the lemon sauce and instead just dust the cake with powdered sugar, finish with a dollop of whipped cream, or top the cake with a classic cream cheese frosting.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Serving 1slice of cake (not including lemon sauce) Calories 137kcal (7%) Carbohydrates 29g (10%) Protein 3g (6%) Fat 1g (2%) Saturated Fat 0.2g (1%) Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g Monounsaturated Fat 0.2g Trans Fat 0.002g Cholesterol 18mg (6%) Sodium 385mg (16%) Potassium 39mg (1%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 11g (22%) Vitamin A 27IU (1%) Vitamin C 0.01mg (0%) Calcium 10mg (1%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 9slices

Amount Per Serving

Calories 137 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving 1slice of cake (not including lemon sauce)
Calories 137kcal 7%
Carbohydrates 29g 10%
Protein 3g 6%
Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 0.2g 1%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g 1%
Monounsaturated Fat 0.2g 1%
Trans Fat 0.002g 0%
Cholesterol 18mg 6%
Sodium 385mg 16%
Potassium 39mg 1%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 11g 22%
Vitamin A 27IU 1%
Vitamin C 0.01mg 0%
Calcium 10mg 1%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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5.0

6 reviews
Excellent

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