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Gingerbread Spice Cake | lifemadesimplebakes.com
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4.93 from 14 votes

Gingerbread Cake Recipe

A moist and tender spiced gingerbread cake with thick and creamy cream cheese frosting. This stunning layer cake is perfect for the holidays!
Prep Time45 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Cakes & Cheesecakes
Cuisine: American
Servings: 24 slices
Calories: 410kcal
Author: Andrea

Ingredients

For the Cake

  • 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar packed
  • 1 cup molasses NOT blackstrap
  • 4 eggs divided
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 3 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1 1/4 tsp kosher sea salt
  • 4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 1/4 cup buttermilk

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp kosher sea salt
  • 4 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 12 oz original cream cheese

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line the bottom of three 9-inch round baking pans with parchment, then butter/flour the sides or spray with baking spray, set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a large mixing bowl with a hand held mixer), beat the butter until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add sugars and beat for 3-4 minutes or until light and fluffy, then add molasses and mix until combined.
  • With mixing speed on low, add egg yolks one at a time until incorporated, then add the vanilla.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. With mixing speed on low, alternate adding the dry ingredients and the buttermilk. Mix until just a few streaks of flour and buttermilk remain.
  • In a small mixing bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff. Using a rubber spatula, fold the egg whites into the cake batter. Once incorporated, pour batter into the three prepared baking pans, dividing evenly. Smooth out the batter with a spatula.
  • Place in the oven to bake for 22-26 minutes or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean and the top springs back when touched.
  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 15 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.

For the Frosting

  • Meanwhile, to prepare the cream cheese frosting, using the paddle attachment cream the butter, vanilla and salt for 2 minutes or until light and fluffy. With mixing speed on low gradually add the powdered sugar, beat until it forms a thick paste. Add the cream cheese and mix on the lowest speed possible for 1½ minutes, then STOP! Place in refrigerator to chill until the cakes have completely cooled. Allow to stand at room temperature for 5 minutes before piping between the cake layers. The outside of the cake will require very little frosting as this is a "naked" style cake.
  • Decorate with white and/or clear sprinkles and rosemary, if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 24serving | Calories: 410kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 66mg | Sodium: 280mg | Potassium: 359mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 51g | Vitamin A: 481IU | Calcium: 136mg | Iron: 2mg