Gingerbread Cake

This gingerbread cake is spiced with the warm flavors of molasses, cinnamon, ginger and cloves. It's perfect for the holidays with a moist crumb and cream cheese frosting!

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 30

Total Time: 45

Servings:

Ingredients

Cake:

½ cup unsalted butter , softened
⅓ cup granulated sugar
⅓ cup brown sugar , packed
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup unsulphured molasses (I use Grandma's brand)
2 ½ cups all purpose flour , spooned and leveled
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
½ cup applesauce (i use a no sugar added applesauce)
½ cup very hot water

Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting:

8 ounces cream cheese , softened
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter , softened
1 ¾ cup powdered sugar
1 Tablespoon heavy cream or milk
1 teaspoons vanilla
½ teaspoon allspice

Optional: Sugared cranberries or rosemary for decorating

Instructions

Cake:

Preheat and prepare the pan: Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x13” baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
Cream the wet ingredients: Using a handheld mixer, cream together 1/2 cup butter,1/3 cup granulated sugar, and 1/3 cup brown sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add the egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 cup molasses and continue mixing until fully incorporated.
Add dry ingredients: Add the 2 1/2 cups flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 2 teaspoons ginger, 1 teaspoon cloves, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mix just until combined scraping down the sides as needed.
Mix in applesauce and water: Add the 1/2 cup applesauce and begin mixing on low speed, then slowly pour in the 1/2 cup hot water. Mix until the batter is smooth.
Spread into pan: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
Bake: Bake for 28-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Cool cake: Allow the cake to fully cool before frosting.

Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting:

Beat all frosting ingredients: In a medium bowl, beat together the 8 ounces cream cheese and 2 Tablespoons butter until smooth. Add the 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar, 1 Tablespoon heavy cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/2 teaspoon allspice. Continue mixing until fluffy. You can add a little more cream or milk to thin it out if needed.
Frost and decorate: Once the cake has cooled, spread the frosting evenly and enjoy! You can garnish with sugared cranberries and rosemary for a festive touch if desired!

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