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Easy Gingerbread Cake with Cinnamon Molasses Frosting Recipe

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This Easy Gingerbread Cake with Cinnamon Molasses Frosting is a moist and flavorful dessert perfect for the holiday season or any cozy gathering. Infused with warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, and topped with a creamy cinnamon molasses frosting, this cake combines traditional gingerbread taste with a smooth, tangy finish.

Ingredients

Cake

  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ cup butter
  • 1 egg
  • ⅔ cup applesauce
  • 1 cup molasses (unsulphured, e.g. Brer Rabbit)
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground cloves
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup hot water

Frosting

  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup butter, softened
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons molasses
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9-inch square baking pan to prevent sticking.
  2. Cream Sugar and Butter: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the sugar and butter until light and fluffy. This creates a smooth and aerated base for the batter.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg until combined, then mix in the applesauce and molasses, blending thoroughly for a rich, spiced batter.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and ground cloves to evenly distribute the spices and rising agent.
  5. Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture, stirring to combine without overmixing. Then stir in the hot water and mix well to form a smooth batter.
  6. Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  7. Cool the Cake: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Cooling prevents the frosting from melting.
  8. Prepare Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until creamy and smooth.
  9. Add Flavorings to Frosting: Mix in the vanilla extract and ground cinnamon, ensuring even distribution of flavors.
  10. Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture while beating until the frosting is smooth and lump-free.
  11. Incorporate Molasses: Mix in the molasses to add depth and a slight tangy sweetness to the frosting.
  12. Frost the Cake: Once the cake has completely cooled, evenly spread the cinnamon molasses frosting over the top. Finally, lightly dust the frosted cake with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon for decoration and added aroma.

Notes

  • Ensure the cake is completely cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting and sliding off.
  • You can substitute applesauce with mashed bananas if desired, but it may alter the flavor slightly.
  • For a vegan version, use vegan butter, a flax egg, and substitute cream cheese with a plant-based alternative.
  • The cake stores well covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerated for up to a week.
  • To re-soften refrigerated cake, bring to room temperature before serving.

Find it online: https://bitezly.com/easy-gingerbread-cake-with-cinnamon-molasses-frosting-recipe/