Molasses Cake

🍎🍯 Molasses Cake — Spiced, Cozy, and Perfectly Old‑Fashioned

Warm spices, rich molasses, and a surprise hint of apple — this Molasses Cake is the kind of dessert that makes your kitchen smell like pure happiness!

Some cakes are flashy with layers of frosting and sprinkles, but then there are cakes like this one — humble, cozy, and absolutely irresistible. Molasses Cake is the kind of dessert that feels like it belongs on every fall table, every holiday spread, and honestly, every Tuesday night when you just need something sweet and comforting.

It’s moist, warmly spiced, and has that deep, rich flavor that only molasses can bring. The grated apple keeps it tender, the buttermilk adds tang, and the trio of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves makes every bite taste like a hug.

Why this recipe is a keeper:

Simple ingredients — pantry staples, big flavor.
Moist and tender — thanks to apple and buttermilk.
Perfectly spiced — cozy without being overwhelming.
Versatile — serve warm with ice cream or cold with coffee.
Make‑ahead friendly — freezes beautifully.

💬 Reader prompt: Are you team “cake is breakfast food” or team “cake only after dinner”?

📜 Recipe — Molasses Cake

Ingredients

⅓ cup butter, softened
½ cup brown sugar
2 eggs
⅓ cup molasses
1 ¾ cups all‑purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground ginger
½ tsp ground cloves
½ cup buttermilk
1 medium baking apple, peeled and grated

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×9 baking dish or 9‑inch cake pan.
In a mixer, cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
Add eggs and molasses; beat until well blended.
In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking soda, salt, and spices.
Slowly add dry ingredients to wet, alternating with buttermilk, just until combined.
Gently fold in grated apple.
Pour into prepared pan. Bake 35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool slightly, cut into squares, and serve warm or cold.
Top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.

🔢 Calorie Count (Per Slice, Serves 9)

Calories: ~260
Protein: 4g
Carbs: 38g
Fat: 10g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 22g

💡 Note: Basically cake math that says, “Yes, apple makes this practically health food.

🥕 Nutritional Facts & Fun

Molasses: Iron + deep flavor.
Apple: Fiber + natural sweetness.
Buttermilk: Tang + tenderness.
Spices: Antioxidants + cozy vibes.
Butter: Richness + moisture.

💬 Reader prompt: Do you like your cakes extra spiced, or more on the mild side?

👩‍🍳 Cooking Tips

Don’t Overmix: Stir until just combined for a tender crumb.
Apple Hack: Use a box grater for fine shreds that melt into the cake.
Molasses Choice: Unsulphured molasses gives the best flavor.
Serving Trick: Warm slices in the microwave for 10 seconds before topping with ice cream.
Freezer Friendly: Wrap tightly and freeze up to 3 months.

🔄 Recipe Variations

Molasses Cupcakes: Bake in muffin tins for portable treats.
Molasses Bundt Cake: Double recipe and bake in a bundt pan.
Molasses Apple Bars: Bake thinner and cut into bars.
Molasses Cream Cheese Frosting: Top with tangy cream cheese frosting.
Molasses Pear Cake: Swap apple for grated pear.

💬 Reader prompt: Which version would your family devour first — cupcakes, bars, or bundt cake?

🧒 Kid Tips

Let kids sprinkle powdered sugar on top.
Serve with a scoop of ice cream for fun.
Make mini cakes in ramekins for kid‑sized portions.
Call it “spice cake surprise” to make it sound magical.

🛒 Grocery Hacks

Molasses: Store in a cool, dark place — it lasts forever.
Apples: Buy in bulk and use extras for snacks or applesauce.
Buttermilk: Make your own by adding 1 Tbsp vinegar to 1 cup milk.
Spices: Buy in bulk jars — cheaper and fresher.
Butter: Freeze sticks so you always have some on hand.

💬 Reader prompt: Do you usually keep molasses in your pantry, or buy it just for holiday baking?

🎯 Reader Challenge

This week, I challenge you to make Molasses Cake and serve it in a fun way. Maybe it’s topped with cream cheese frosting, maybe it’s layered into a trifle, maybe it’s served with caramel sauce. Post your creation with #LouLouGirlsMolassesCake so we can all drool together.

🥪 Leftover Remix

Molasses Cake Trifle: Layer with whipped cream and fruit.
Molasses Cake French Toast: Dip slices in custard and pan‑fry.
Molasses Cake Milkshake: Blend with milk and ice cream.
Molasses Cake Pops: Roll into balls, dip in chocolate.
Molasses Cake Parfaits: Layer with yogurt and granola.

💬 Reader prompt: Would you rather turn leftovers into cake pops or French toast?

💭 Final Thoughts

This Molasses Cake is proof that simple ingredients can create something magical. It’s moist, spiced, and versatile enough to be a weeknight treat or a holiday centerpiece. Plus, it’s the kind of recipe that makes everyone smile — and isn’t that the best kind of baking?

Here’s the thing about cakes — they’re never just cakes. They’re the sound of mixers whirring, the joy of spreading on whipped cream, the comfort of knowing dessert is going to be a hit.

And this Molasses Cake? It’s a keeper. It’s moist, it’s spiced, it’s nostalgic, it’s fun. It’s the kind of recipe that makes you feel like you’ve turned pantry staples into something bakery‑worthy.

But what I love most is how recipes like this bring us together. Food has that magic — it’s not just about eating, it’s about sharing. It’s about swapping tips, laughing over sticky molasses fingers, and building little traditions that make life sweeter.

So here’s my challenge to you: bake this cake, share it with your people, and then tell me your twist. Did you add pears? Did you sneak in chocolate chips? Did you double the spices just because you could? (No judgment — I’d be first in line for that version.)

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

Until then, may your molasses be rich, your apples sweet, your slices generous, and your kitchen filled with laughter, love, and second helpings. Because at the end of the day, recipes like this aren’t just about baking — they’re about celebrating the little joys that make life delicious.