This stunning Gingerbread Cake has two thick, moist layers of spiced gingerbread cake and a generous coating of Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting. Create the perfect Christmas cake by dressing it up with rosemary, fresh cranberries, cinnamon sticks and star anise for garnish, if desired.
Layered Gingerbread Cake
If you are looking for one of the most impressive Christmas cakes, this Gingerbread Cake is a definite win!
Not only is it an impressive looking cake, but it is also absolutely delicious! We start with two big thick layers of moist Gingerbread Cake that are loaded with spices and molasses.
Then we whip together some butter and cream cheese into a sweet cinnamon cream cheese frosting that’s the perfect pairing with this classic cake.
If you love this Gingerbread layer cake, make sure and check out my Classic Gingerbread Recipe! Or my famous Gingerdoodle Cookies — a cross between a gingerbread cookie and a snickerdoodle in one!
The History of Gingerbread
Gingerbread is said to have begun in Greece and was brought to Europe in 992 CE and then over to the Americas with settlers from Europe. It is now widespread around the world and comes in so many different forms: cakes, soft cookies, gingerbread houses, gingerbread men and even gingersnaps (crisp ginger cookies).
The word “ gingerbread” refers to a large category of baked goods, typically flavored with the below ingredients:
- ginger
- cloves
- nutmeg
- cinnamon
- molasses
It is traditionally sweetened with honey, granulated sugar or brown sugar…or a combination of all three!
Gingerbread Cake Ingredients
This gingerbread recipe is sweetened with a combination of granulated sugar, applesauce and molasses.
The molasses and applesauce are also both used, along with butter and oil, to keep the cake extra moist.
To give it that perfectly spiced flavor, we use cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and a pinch of salt.
While the recipe ingredient list may look intimidating, don’t worry, half of the list is made of spices!
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting for Cake
This Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting is one of my favorite frostings I make. It’s smooth, creamy and sweet with the perfect amount of cinnamon and splash of maple syrup to warm it up.
I have used it on many of my big layered cakes and it’s always a big crowd pleaser! You will always find it thickly spread on my Pumpkin Cake!
To prepare this frosting, we cream butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Beat in the maple syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon.
Add the powdered sugar and beat until frosting is smooth and perfectly whipped! Frost it generously on your cake and enjoy licking those beaters. ;-)
How to Store Gingerbread Cake
Because of the cream cheese, this cake should be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
However, this cake tastes best when it is closer to room temp with just the slightest chill to it.
To achieve this perfect temperature for the best taste and texture, remove this cake from the fridge 30-45 minutes before you are ready to serve. Let the cake sit on the counter and warm up.
Festive Garnish Ideas for Cake
To re-create the garnishes you see pictured on this Christmas cake, arrange the following on top of the frosted cake:
- Fresh Rosemary
- Cinnamon Sticks
- Star Anise
- Fresh Cranberries
This cake is deliciously moist, full of spices and frosted with the most delicious Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting! It is the perfect Christmas dessert recipe that will impress your guests!
Gingerbread Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
Gingerbread Cake
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup molasses
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ⅔ cup Dixie Crystals Extra Fine Granulated Sugar
- ½ cup applesauce
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup whole milk
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
- 12 oz (1 1/2 packages) cream cheese, room temperature
- ¾ cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 6 cups Dixie Crystals Confectioners Powdered Sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two 8-inch cake pans and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine molasses, melted butter, and sugar. Add applesauce, egg, and vanilla extract, beating until well combined.
- Beat in flour mixture alternating with oil and milk. Pour batter into prepared pan.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool in pan before serving.
- To prepare frosting, in a large bowl, cream butter and cream cheese until smooth. Beat in maple syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon. Add powdered sugar and beat on low speed until combined, then on high until frosting is smooth.
- Assemble 2 layers with a thick layer of frosting in between. Then apply a thin crumb coat of frosting on top and sides. Place in a freezer to harden for about 10 minutes.
- Apply one final thick and even layer around outside of cake. Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.
Video
Notes
- Fresh Rosemary
- Cinnamon Sticks
- Star Anise
- Fresh Cranberries
Nutrition
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Loved it/ it was a hit this Christmas! The flavor is strong, but got lots of compliments.
Can the cakes be made ahead of time and frozen
Hi Kallie! Yes, I’d recommend freezing the individual layers wrapped tightly in Saran Wrap and then a layer of foil. Thaw them overnight in the fridge and then frost as desired!
This was a huge hit at our family party, even from the people that don’t normally go for cake!! I didn’t have the ultra fine ingredient, so I ran the sugar through a food processor and sifted the confectioners sugar and was still great!
The flavors are great, but the cake is so light it seemed like a package cake rather than homemade. I followed recipe for the frosting, which is delicious but it was too great a quantity and the cake actually cracked in two, from the weight I think. I’ve never had that happen before and I bake a cake every week. I’ll try again adding another egg in the cake and perhaps reduce the amount of icing.
Is that rosemary? Does it leave the scent and taste on the cake?
It’s absolutely beautiful!
No, it didn’t, I only lightly laid the rosemary on top for the photos and removed it for serving!
Thanks so much. My daughter and I plan to make this for Thanksgiving!
Hi! This cake looks gorgeous AND scrumptious! Do you know how long it will last in the fridge before serving? Would 3 days be too long? (Thank you, I can’t wait to try this recipe!)
It will last 3 days if left whole! It will be best that second day, but will still be good on day 3. Just make sure to wrap it or store it in an airtight container.
Thanks for this great recipe. Loved by everyone. I added some roasted pecans for a crunch layer
I received so many compliments on this delicious cake. It will definitely be made again. It turned out beautiful.
If you don’t have pure maple syrup is it ok to use maple syrup? I also have maple extract.
Yes you can substitute it, but I would add a little maple extract (like 1/4 teaspoon max) to help boost the flavor!
Has anyone tried with gluten free flour??
You should try it and let us know. Wouldn’t it be nice to discover things yourself?
I made this tonight and it was a hit! Highly recommend. Delicious.
Looks wonderful! Sounds delicious and with just some of your decorating ideas, a lovely holiday addition. Thanks for sharing
Be advised: This is a very strong-tasting cake. Took a while for the taste to leave my mouth. Not so good. It was actually too much for my wife and me.
[…] Gingerbread Cake […]
This recipe absolutely ROCKS! Thank you for all the hard work you put into it. It was really delicious. Perfect recipe to make during quarantine.
Not only does this sound delish and look delicious, you garnished your gingerbread cake in such a way as to make it a piece of art. So pretty! I can’t wait to make it.
This is so gorgeous! Such a perfect cake for any time of the year!
This cake is everything! Everyone in my family loved it!
WOW, that is one gorgeous cake. Definitely perfect for the holidays and blowing people away!!
What a beautiful dessert for the holidays! Worthy of a restaurant, indeed!
This Gingerbread layer cake looks absolutely delicious! Yummy!
That is one gorgeous cake! It’s almost too pretty to eat!
Just when I thought I couldn’t love cream cheese frosting more… you go and add cinnamon! I need a big slice of this cake!