There are a lot of classic holiday desserts out there, but one of my favorite things to make every year is gingerbread cookies. Even though they can be fun to decorate, I’m all for a really good plain gingerbread cookie. It’s crisp around the edges, yet chewy in the middle, and it makes the whole house smell like ginger and molasses.
This year I decided to take that classic holiday cookie and transform it into this Gingerbread Layer Cake. A spice filled cake is layered with delicious cream cheese frosting, and there are even a few gingerbread men to top it off!
Ginger, cinnamon, molasses, and a little bit of cloves are brought together to give this cake that classic gingerbread taste. The cream cheese frosting’s sweet, yet tangy flavor compliments the cake’s spices, and the gingerbread on top add a fun decoration.
This cake has several different components, but I recommend starting with the cake itself first. You’ll first want to whisk together all of your dry ingredients in one bowl while the butter and sugar blend together in a stand mixer. Add the molasses, followed by the eggs to the batter. Next, gradually spoon the dry mixture into the batter and mix just until it is combined.
I chose to make a three layer 6 inch cake, but this recipe with also work for a two layer 8 inch cake, depending on what size cake pans you have. Just be sure to adjust the baking times accordingly.
While the cake bakes, you can put together the cream cheese frosting. You’ll combine the softened butter and softened cream cheese followed by the sifted powder sugar. Be sure to chill the frosting until you are ready to use it.
Next, it’s time to make the gingerbread men to go on top of the cake! Whisk together the dry ingredients in one bowl while warm melted butter, light brown sugar, and molasses blend together in your mixer. You’ll start by just adding the egg yolk of one egg to the batter, but be sure to set the egg white aside in case you need any of it. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the dough until the consistency of the dough is just right and then let the dough chill before baking.
Now it’s just a matter of assembling the cake. You’ll alternate layers of cake with layers of frosting, apply a thin crumb coat, and chill the cake. Once it is chilled and all the crumbs are sealed in, apply another layer of frosting, pipe some swirls on top, and carefully place a gingerbread man in the center of each swirl. Now you’ve got yourself a delicious and festive holiday dessert!
A spice filled cake is layered with delicious cream cheese frosting, and there are even a few gingerbread men to top it off!
Gingerbread Cake:
Cream Cheese Frosting
Gingerbread Cookie Topping
Gingerbread Cake:
Cream Cheese Frosting
Gingerbread Cookie Topping
Cake Assembly
I decided to make a three layer 6 inch cake, but this recipe can also be used to make a two layer 8 inch cake as well, depending on what size pans you have.
Keywords: gingerbread, cake, cream cheese