There’s nothing that says the holidays quite like a homemade gingerbread cake with cream cheese frosting. The smell of warm spices filling the kitchen instantly takes me back to cozy winter nights, twinkling lights, and the excitement of holiday gatherings. This cake is tender, full of rich flavor, and finished with a luscious cream cheese frosting that makes it downright irresistible.
I remember the first time I baked a Christmas gingerbread dessert for my family. I pulled it out of the oven, and the whole house smelled like cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. The soft, moist crumb paired with that tangy cream cheese frosting was such a hit that it quickly became one of our go-to holiday traditions.
The beauty of this holiday spice cake is that it’s both simple and elegant. With just a few pantry staples and a good dose of molasses, you can create a dessert that tastes like it came straight from a bakery. Every bite is warm, comforting, and just sweet enough to balance the spices.
This is the kind of moist gingerbread cake you’ll want to share with friends and family. It holds its own on the holiday table but is also perfect for casual evenings with a cup of coffee or tea. The cream cheese frosting adds the perfect touch of richness, making it a true crowd-pleaser.
If you’re searching for the perfect gingerbread with frosting to bake this season, this recipe is it. It’s festive, easy to make, and guaranteed to bring holiday cheer with every slice.
What You’ll Need To Make Gingerbread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
1. All-Purpose Flour
- The backbone of the cake, giving it structure and a tender crumb.
- It balances moisture from the molasses and buttermilk.
- For gluten-free, swap with a 1:1 gluten-free blend.
2. Baking Soda & Baking Powder
- Help the cake rise and stay fluffy instead of dense.
- Baking soda reacts with the acidity of molasses and buttermilk.
- Baking powder ensures even lift.
3. Ground Spices (Ginger, Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmeg)
- The heart of the flavor profile, creating that warm holiday aroma.
- Ginger adds brightness, cinnamon warmth, cloves depth, and nutmeg a subtle nutty sweetness.
- Together, they turn a simple cake into a festive showstopper.
4. Unsalted Butter
- Adds richness and tenderness.
- Creaming with sugar creates air pockets, giving the cake lightness.
- Always use room temperature butter for best mixing.
5. Brown Sugar
- Enhances moisture while deepening the flavor.
- Its molasses content ties beautifully into the gingerbread theme.
- Helps create that caramelized, cozy sweetness.
6. Molasses
- The signature ingredient that defines gingerbread.
- Provides deep, earthy sweetness and rich color.
- Blackstrap is too bitter, stick to unsulphured dark molasses.
7. Egg
- Binds everything together and adds structure.
- One large egg keeps the cake tender without becoming heavy.
8. Buttermilk
- Brings a slight tang that balances sweetness.
- Keeps the crumb soft and moist.
- Also reacts with baking soda for a better rise.
9. Hot Water
- Ensures a smooth batter and boosts moisture.
- Helps bloom the spices for a fuller flavor.
10. Cream Cheese (for Frosting)
- Tangy and rich, perfectly balancing the spiced cake.
- Softened cream cheese makes for a silky-smooth frosting.
11. Powdered Sugar
- Creates a sweet, stable base for frosting.
- Blends smoothly without a grainy texture.
12. Vanilla Extract
- A subtle but essential flavor booster in both cake and frosting.
13. Heavy Cream
- Adjusts frosting consistency to make it spreadable and fluffy.
Quick Tips for the Best Gingerbread Cake
- Use room temperature ingredients for a smooth batter.
- Don’t skip the hot water, it helps keep the cake extra moist.
- For more intense flavor, use dark molasses instead of light.
- Chill the frosted cake before slicing for cleaner cuts.
- Add a dusting of powdered sugar or crushed gingerbread cookies for a decorative holiday touch.
Essential Equipment For Making Gingerbread Cake
- Mixing bowls
- Hand or stand mixer
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Rubber spatula
- Whisk
- 9×13-inch pan or 2 round pans
- Wire cooling rack
Why You’ll Love This Gingerbread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
While gingerbread cake is a festive treat, it does bring some surprising nutritional perks thanks to its ingredients:
- Ginger – Known for aiding digestion and reducing inflammation.
- Cinnamon – May help stabilize blood sugar levels and provides antioxidants.
- Molasses – Contains iron, calcium, and potassium, adding trace minerals.
- Nutmeg & Cloves – Both offer warming properties and antioxidants.
- Buttermilk – Provides calcium and probiotics for gut health.
- Moist and Flavorful – Thanks to molasses, brown sugar, and buttermilk, this cake stays soft, rich, and never dry.
- Perfectly Spiced – A cozy blend of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves creates that classic holiday flavor everyone craves.
- Creamy, Tangy Frosting – The cream cheese frosting balances the sweetness and adds a luxurious finish.
- Festive and Nostalgic – It feels like the holidays the moment you take a bite, perfect for Christmas gatherings, winter parties, or just a cozy night by the fire.
- Crowd-Pleaser – Whether served as a showstopper dessert at the Christmas table or cut into squares for a holiday potluck, this cake always disappears fast.
- Make-Ahead Friendly – The flavors actually deepen overnight, so you can bake it a day before and frost when ready to serve.
Conclusion
This traditional gingerbread cake is a warm hug in dessert form, a spiced holiday cake that never goes out of style. With its deep molasses richness and creamy frosting, it’s a recipe that blends nostalgia with festive celebration. Bake it once, and it will become a holiday sweet treat tradition in your home.
✅ Quick Tips: Read through the full recipe before diving in; it’s the best way to get a feel for the flow, prep time, and tools you’ll need. Think of it like scanning a map before a road trip: you’ll cook more confidently and avoid any surprises halfway through.
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Best Gingerbread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
This gingerbread cake with cream cheese frosting is a moist and warmly spiced holiday dessert idea featuring molasses, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, topped with tangy frosting for balance. Perfect for Christmas gatherings, winter dessert recipes, or simply filling your kitchen with cozy aromas, this recipe is simple to follow and delivers festive elegance with every bite.
Ingredients
for the Cream Cheese Frosting:
Instructions
For the Gingerbread Cake
Preheat the Oven
- Set oven to 175°C (350°F).
- Grease and line a 9x13-inch baking pan or two 9-inch round cake pans.
Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and all the spices (ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg). Set aside.
Cream Butter and Sugar
- Using a hand or stand mixer, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Add Wet Ingredients
- Beat in the molasses and egg until smooth.
- Slowly add buttermilk, mixing just until combined.
Incorporate Dry Ingredients
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture.
- Stir in hot water last (the batter will be thin, don’t worry, that’s what makes it moist).
Bake
- Pour batter into prepared pans.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes (9x13-inch) or 30-35 minutes (round pans) until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool
- Allow cake to cool completely before frosting.
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat Cream Cheese and Butter
- Whip together until smooth and creamy.
Add Vanilla and Sugar
- Slowly add powdered sugar while mixing.
- Stir in vanilla.
Adjust Consistency
- Add heavy cream, one tablespoon at a time, until desired spreadability is reached.
Frost the Cake
- Spread evenly over cooled cake.
- Garnish with festive sprinkles, candied ginger, or crushed peppermint for a holiday finish.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 12
Serving Size 2 servings, each about a 3x3-inch frosted slice.
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 420kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 19g30%
- Saturated Fat 11g56%
- Cholesterol 70mg24%
- Sodium 320mg14%
- Potassium 250mg8%
- Total Carbohydrate 58g20%
- Dietary Fiber 1g4%
- Sugars 38g
- Protein 5g10%
- Vitamin A 650 IU
- Calcium 65 mg
- Iron 2.2 mg
- Vitamin D 8 IU
- Vitamin E 0.5 IU
- Vitamin K 2 mcg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
- Don’t overmix batter after adding flour.
- Test doneness with a toothpick at 35 minutes.
- Allow cake to cool fully before frosting.
- Store frosted cake chilled but serve at room temperature.
