Gingerbread Cake

🍰✨ Gingerbread Cake — Spiced, Cozy, and Absolutely Magical

If cozy had a flavor, it would be this Gingerbread Cake.

 

 

Let’s talk about the kind of dessert that doesn’t just satisfy your sweet tooth but wraps your whole soul in a blanket of warm spices. That’s exactly what Gingerbread Cake does. It’s tender, moist, and filled with the nostalgic flavors of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves — the kind of cake that makes your kitchen smell like happiness itself.

Here’s why this recipe deserves a permanent spot in your rotation: it’s versatile enough for weeknight baking, indulgent enough for holiday gatherings, and impressive enough for potlucks when you want to wow without stress. It’s the kind of recipe that feels indulgent but is secretly practical — butter, sugar, molasses, and spices come together like they were always meant to be.

And let’s be honest: gingerbread is basically the universal love language of cozy season. Add a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of lemon glaze? Suddenly, you’re the hero of dessert.

💬 Reader prompt: Are you team “gingerbread with whipped cream” or team “gingerbread with cream cheese frosting”?

We are all so busy around the holidays with normal life, topped with holiday activities! Shoot, I don’t have any little kids at home but I have something everyday this week! If you have kids at home, the holidays are plum full!

Right now, I want to think about how many parties that you have on your calendar this month. A handful? Every day is busy? Whatever it is, this is a cake that will make your life easier. It can be made in minutes for that potluck dinner you forgot about or even a perfect neighbor gift.

 

 

🥕 Nutritional Facts & Fun

• Molasses: Iron + deep flavor.
• Spices: Antioxidants + cozy vibes.
• Butter: Richness + tenderness.
• Egg: Structure + moisture.
• Flour: The foundation of cake dreams.

💬 Reader prompt: Do you think gingerbread counts as “holiday only,” or is it an all‑year treat?

👩‍🍳 Cooking Tips for Cake Success

• Molasses Tip: Use regular molasses, not blackstrap — it’s less bitter.
• Spice Boost: Freshly ground spices = maximum flavor.
• Texture Trick: Don’t overmix once flour is added — tender cake is the goal.
• Serving Suggestion: Top with whipped cream, lemon glaze, or powdered sugar.
• Storage Hack: Wrap tightly — it tastes even better the next day.

🔄 Recipe Variations

• Lemon Glaze: Drizzle with lemon icing for a bright contrast.
• Cream Cheese Frosting: Go decadent with a thick layer of frosting.
• Apple Twist: Fold in diced apples for extra moisture.
• Chocolate Lovers: Add mini chocolate chips for a fun surprise.
• Holiday Version: Top with sugared cranberries for festive flair.

💬 Reader prompt: Which version would your family devour first — lemon glaze, cream cheese, or apple twist?

🧒 Kid Tips

• Let kids sprinkle powdered sugar on top (aka edible snow).
• Serve with hot cocoa for a kid‑friendly pairing.
• Cut into fun shapes with cookie cutters.
• Call it “spice cake” if gingerbread sounds too grown‑up.

🛒 Grocery Hacks

• Molasses Saver: Store upside down for easier pouring.
• Spice Trick: Buy spices in bulk — fresher and cheaper.
• Butter Shortcut: Soften butter quickly by grating it.
• Budget Tip: Store‑brand molasses works just as well.

💬 Reader prompt: Are you team “always name‑brand” or team “store‑brand is just fine”?

🎯 Reader Challenge

This week, I challenge you to make Gingerbread Cake and serve it at your next family dinner, potluck, or holiday gathering. Bonus points if you try one of the variations! Post your creation with #LouLouGirlsGingerbreadLove so we can all drool together and swap ideas.

🥪 Leftover Remix

• Gingerbread Trifles: Layer cake cubes with pudding and whipped cream.
• Gingerbread Parfaits: Crumble into yogurt with fruit.
• Gingerbread Milkshakes: Blend with ice cream and milk.
• Gingerbread Bread Pudding: Cube leftovers, bake with custard, drizzle with caramel.
• Gingerbread Ice Cream Sandwiches: Layer with vanilla ice cream and freeze.

💬 Reader prompt: Would you dare turn leftover cake into a milkshake, or is that too wild?

 

Gingerbread Cake

Print

Ingredients

• ½ cup butter, softened
• ½ cup white sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup molasses (not blackstrap)
• 2 ½ cups flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• ½ teaspoon cloves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup boiling water

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9-inch square baking pan. ( or you can line it with parchment paper)
2. In a large bowl beat egg with mixer until creamy. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Mix in egg, then mix in molasses until smooth.
3. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt into a large bowl. Gradually add dry ingredients to the molasses mixture, mixing after each addition until incorporated. Mix in water until smooth. Pour cake batter into the prepared pan.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Insert a toothpick in the center of the cake; it should come out clean. If it does, remove cake from the oven; if not, bake 15 to 30 more minutes, checking often for doneness.
5. Allow gingerbread to cool in the pan before serving.

🔢 Calorie Count (Per Slice, Based on 12 Servings)

• Calories: ~260
• Total Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Cholesterol: 35mg
• Sodium: 280mg
• Total Carbs: 44g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugars: 25g
• Protein: 3g

💡 Note: Basically dessert math that says, “Yes, you can have seconds.”

💭 Final Thoughts

This Gingerbread Cake is proof that cozy desserts can be both simple and spectacular. With warm spices, tender crumb, and endless topping options, it’s the kind of recipe that makes everyone at the table happy.

It’s also endlessly adaptable. You can keep it classic, go lemony, or even turn it into a whole new dessert the next day. And because it’s so easy, it’s perfect for weeknights, weekends, or anytime you want to serve up a slice of love.

Here’s the thing about cakes — they’re never just dessert. They’re the smell of spices filling the kitchen, the sight of golden crumb rising in the oven, and the sound of happy chatter as everyone grabs “just one more slice.”

And this gingerbread version? It’s a little extra magical. It’s spiced, it’s tender, it’s comforting, and it’s guaranteed to make you the star of any gathering. It’s the kind of recipe that makes people pause mid‑bite and say, “This tastes like the holidays.”

But what I love most is how recipes like this bring people together. Food has that magic — it’s not just about filling bellies, it’s about filling lives with joy, laughter, and connection. This cake is the kind of recipe that turns an ordinary Tuesday into a celebration, or a holiday dinner into a memory.

So here’s my challenge to you: make this cake, share it with your people, and then tell me your twist. Did you go lemon glaze? Did you sneak in apples? Did you double the frosting just because you could? (No judgment — I’d do the same.)

💬 Reader prompt: Should we do a “Spice Cake Series” next? I’m dreaming up chai spice cake, pumpkin spice loaf, and maybe even a cinnamon roll cake.

Until then, may your spices be fragrant, your molasses sweet, your crumb tender, and your kitchen full of laughter, love, and second helpings. Because at the end of the day, recipes like this aren’t just about eating — they’re about celebrating the little joys that make life delicious. And this Gingerbread Cake? It’s ready to do exactly that.

Did you try our Gingerbread Cake recipe? What did you think? Did you love it? We would love to hear from you! Please leave us a comment below or tag us on Instagram!

 

 

HOLIDAY GOODNESS

 

 

It’s time to do Christmas stuff now, right? Hot Cocoa Cinnamon-less Rolls are so so good!

 

 

No bake peppermint cheesecake is perfect dessert for Christmas! The cheesecake that doesn’t need to be baked. It’s fluffy and creamy from the whipped cream and a little sassy from the peppermint. It will be a hit at any gathering!