The BEST Old Fashioned Gingerbread Cake Recipe (2024)

I love the smell of freshly baked gingerbread and of course the flavour. This is the best old fashioned gingerbread cake recipe if you want to wow everyone. My birthday falls on Christmas day, so I love to have this as a Christmas birthday cake (that means I get two slices instead of one!) It’s an easy fall or holiday dessert with warm spices and dark molasses, and it’s both festive and nostalgic.

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Although there are plenty of traditional Christmas cake ideas to choose from, this gingerbread cake recipe is hard to beat. It’s a simple-to-make cake that everyone will love. Perhaps this could become a new holiday tradition in your home.

You might also like to make Lucky Charms Rice Krispie treats, this rainbow layer cake or this strawberry shortcake if you have a sweet tooth. These mini cone cupcakes are also great!

Best Old Fashioned Gingerbread Cake Recipe Ingredients

Get ready to make the best Christmas ginger cake you ever had! Let’s take a look at the ingredients you’re going to need for this gingerbread cake which is moist and lightly spiced, as well as perfect for the holidays. This is actually the gingerbread cake that I used in my gingerbread trifle recipe.

Typical cake ingredients go into the cake batter, including unsalted butter, both white and brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla. A combination of flour and cornstarch makes a type of ‘cake flour’ (or, if you have some, you can use cake flour instead). In addition, you need molasses, and can choose from different types of molasses, like dark or blackstrap molasses or unsulphured molasses.

Common spices – ground cinnamon, ground cloves and ground ginger add gingerbread spice flavours, and then vinegar, baking soda, salt, and milk also go into the flavorful cake mix.

The frosting is made with cream cheese, since its tangy taste pairs wonderfully with the spice cake. Cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, heavy cream, and salt combine to make this delicious cream cheese frosting for your easy gingerbread recipe. Don’t forget the Christmas themed sprinkles! If you like, you could try a mascarpone frosting instead.

This gingerbread cake recipe is used to make my holiday gingerbread trifle. And if you are looking for a vegan recipe, try this gingerbread apple cake which is also moist and delicious. Cake fans may want to also try this Biscoff cake with Biscoff frosting.

How to Make this Moist Gingerbread Cake

Line a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Beat the butter and sugar with a stand mixer, then add the eggs and vanilla, and beat some more. You can use a hand mixer if you don’t have a stand mixer, or even a balloon whisk if you’re feeling energetic!

Pour in the molasses and beat a little more, then mix in the vinegar and milk. At this point, don’t be alarmed if the batter seems to separate – that’s a normal reaction when adding the vinegar.

Sift the dry ingredients into the batter and mix again on a low speed until everything is well mixed together. Transfer the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about forty minutes or until done. It is done when a toothpick inserted into the center is clean.

Let the cream cheese and come to room temperature. Beat the cream cheese until smooth and then add the butter, bit by bit, beating the mixture between each addition.

Once the frosting is airy and light, you can add the salt and vanilla. Add half the powdered sugar and beat some more, then add the remaining powdered sugar and beat until fluffy.

Cool completely and then frost the cooled caked with the vanilla cream cheese frosting and then add some festive sprinkles on top. It doesn’t get easier than this delicious recipe!

It’s up to you whether you serve it in the baking dish or turn it out first.

Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Cake FAQs

Gingerbread Cake Recipe

I love this gingerbread spice cake. It’s the best old fashioned gingerbread cake recipe for this time of year and makes a nice change from traditional Christmas cake. The warm spices in this fluffy cake and perfect cake frosting makes it extra-special. If you love gingerbread cookies, you will also love this moist cake. It’s perfect for the holidays and, in my opinion, the best gingerbread cake recipe in the world!

If frosting is not for you, serve warm ginger cake with a dollop of whipped cream instead. This delicious recipe is one you will make every holiday season. Happy baking!

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