Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Cake

User Reviews

5.0

12 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    10 mins

  • Cook Time

    10 mins

  • Additional Time

    30 mins

  • Total Time

    1 hr 7 mins

  • Servings

    9 people

  • Calories

    2587 kcal

  • Course

    Dessert

  • Cuisine

    American

Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Cake

This Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Cake has been a staple on Christmas dessert tables for generations!

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Ingredients

Servings
  • ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup milk
  • 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground ginger (or up to 1 tablespoon for a stronger flavor)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • Optional, for serving: powdered sugar; whipped cream
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Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8-inch square cake pan with cooking spray and line the bottom with parchment paper. Spray the parchment with cooking spray as well, and then set aside.
  2. In a small saucepan, combine the butter and milk. Heat over medium-high, just until the butter is melted and bubbles form around the edges of the pan. Whisk in the brown sugar until dissolved. Remove from the heat and cool.
  3. In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and salt.
  4. Stir the egg into the cooled butter mixture.
  5. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the butter mixture. Stir just until a smooth batter forms, being careful not to over-mix.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25-30 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
  7. Dust cooled cake with powdered sugar and serve with whipped cream, if desired.

Notes

  • Recipe slightly adapted from The Colonial Williamsburg Tavern Cookbook.
  • 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.
  • Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days.
  • To extend the life of your cake, you can freeze the gingerbread (before adding any powdered sugar, whipped cream or glaze) for up to 3 months.
  • Make sure that you allow the butter mixture to cool sufficiently before adding the egg (or you'll end up with a scrambled egg!).
  • I do not recommend substituting light brown sugar for the dark brown sugar in this recipe. While the two are normally interchangeable in most recipes, the brown sugar gives this gingerbread the classic color and rich taste that you expect (and it's especially important since you're not using molasses).
  • This cake has a relatively mild ginger flavor. If you prefer a stronger, spicier cake, add up to 1 tablespoon of ground ginger.
  • Top the gingerbread with any of the following delicious options:

    A dusting of powdered sugar A dollop of whipped cream (add grated lemon peel to the whipped cream for a bright, fresh touch) A lemon glaze made with powdered sugar, milk and fresh lemon juice Cream cheese frosting (we love this recipe) Lemon sauce (like the one in this recipe)

  • A dusting of powdered sugar
  • A dollop of whipped cream (add grated lemon peel to the whipped cream for a bright, fresh touch)
  • A lemon glaze made with powdered sugar, milk and fresh lemon juice
  • Cream cheese frosting (we love this recipe)
  • Lemon sauce (like the one in this recipe)

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Serving 1slice Calories 258.7kcal (13%) Carbohydrates 37.7g (13%) Protein 3.6g (7%) Fat 11.2g (17%) Saturated Fat 6.9g (35%) Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g Monounsaturated Fat 2.9g Cholesterol 49.8mg (17%) Sodium 299.7mg (12%) Potassium 81.1mg (2%) Fiber 0.9g (4%) Sugar 22.4g (45%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 9people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 2587 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving 1slice
Calories 258.7kcal 13%
Carbohydrates 37.7g 13%
Protein 3.6g 7%
Fat 11.2g 17%
Saturated Fat 6.9g 35%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g 3%
Monounsaturated Fat 2.9g 15%
Cholesterol 49.8mg 17%
Sodium 299.7mg 12%
Potassium 81.1mg 2%
Fiber 0.9g 4%
Sugar 22.4g 45%

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

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Overall Rating

5.0

12 reviews
Excellent

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