That chilly evening before my neighborhood’s holiday gift exchange, I found myself in the kitchen surrounded by wrapped packages and twinkling lights. The kids were out ice-skating, and my husband was untangling the string of fairy lights. I wanted a dessert that felt cozy. I pulled out Grandma Ruth’s old mixing bowl and sifted together flour, warm spices, and a rich drizzle of molasses.
The scent of ginger and cinnamon filling the air took me right back to decades of festive gatherings, her gentle laughter echoing from the past. Folding in applesauce and a touch of vegetable oil kept the batter light, while two eggs and a splash of milk gave it structure. As the cake baked at 350°F, our little kitchen warmed with spiced air and anticipation.
Once it cooled, I whisked powdered sugar, cinnamon, and molasses into a silky frosting, stirring in a spoonful of milk for just the right consistency. When I spread it across the top, it glistened like fresh-fallen snow under the Christmas lights.
At the exchange, neighbors returned for seconds, and a few even asked for a slice to take along with their donation for the community gift drive. That night, I realized this cake wasn’t just dessert—it was comfort, tradition, and joy wrapped in spice and sweetness.
Short Description
Gingerbread Cake With Cinnamon Molasses Frosting is a tender, warmly spiced cake topped with a sweet, cinnamon‑kissed frosting—perfect for holiday celebrations or cozy gatherings.
Key Ingredients
For the Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup molasses
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon Molasses Frosting
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 1–2 tablespoons milk (adjust for consistency)
Tools Needed
- 8×8-inch or 9-inch round cake pan, greased and floured
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or whisk
- Measuring tools
- Spatula
- Cooling rack
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat to 350°F. Grease and flour your cake pan.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, beat brown sugar, molasses, applesauce, oil, eggs, milk, and vanilla until the mixture is smooth and silky.
Step 4: Blend Together
Gradually stir the dry mix into the wet just until no streaks remain—avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender.
Step 5: Bake the Cake
Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack.
Step 6: Prepare the Frosting
Whisk powdered sugar, cinnamon, and molasses together. Add milk 1 tablespoon at a time until smooth and spreadable.
Step 7: Frost the Cake
Once the cake is completely cool, spread the frosting evenly with a spatula or the back of a spoon.
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy
Cut into squares or wedges. This pairs beautifully with a cup of tea or coffee, and a dollop of vanilla ice cream on the side.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Flavor Explosion: Warming spices balanced with sweet molasses create rich holiday nostalgia
Quick and Easy: One-bowl wet mix, one-bowl dry mix—simple and straightforward
Versatile: Great for winter gatherings, afternoon tea, or dessert
Healthier Swap Options: Applesauce reduces oil, keeping the texture moist
Make-Ahead: Cake and frosting can be prepared a day in advance
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Dense Cake: Overmixing toughens the crumb
Solution: Stir just until ingredients come together
Dry Texture: Measuring flour too firmly dries out the cake
Solution: Spoon and level flour, don’t pack it
Soft Frosting: Too much milk can thin frosting
Solution: Add milk gradually until frosting just coats the back of a spoon
Burnt Edges: Hot oven edges brown the cake too fast
Solution: Use foil shields around pan or switch to a lighter pan
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve warm or room temperature
Garnish with a light dusting of cinnamon or a sliver of candied ginger
Pair with hot cocoa, spiced tea, or chilled eggnog
Ideal for buffet-style holiday spreads or casual neighborhood potlucks
Storage and Reheating Tips
Storage: Keep the cake covered in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days
Freezing: Frost later if freezing; cake freezes well up to 1 month
Reheating: Warm slices briefly in the microwave (~10 sec) or oven (~300°F for 5 min) for cozy indulgence
Tips & Tricks
Sift spices to avoid clumps in cake
Use room-temperature ingredients for even mixing
Cool completely before frosting to prevent melting
Add a pinch of nutmeg or cloves for holiday flair
Use silicone spatula for easy frosting finish
Recipe Variations
Orange-Gingerbread Cake
Add zest of one orange to batter; swap milk for orange juice in frosting
Pecan Gingerbread Bars
Stir in ½ cup chopped pecans before baking for crunch
Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
Replace molasses frosting with cream cheese sweetened with 1–2 tablespoons maple syrup
Pumpkin Ginger Spice Cake
Use ½ cup pumpkin puree instead of applesauce, reduce oil to ⅓ cup, and add ½ tsp cinnamon
Final Thoughts
This Gingerbread Cake With Cinnamon Molasses Frosting feels like a warm hug on a winter evening—rich with spices, soft crumb, and sweet-spiced icing. As I slice into it, I’m reminded of silent snowfall outside, soft lights inside, and the hum of conversation around the kitchen table.
Each bite offers comfort and nostalgia, inviting quiet moments or shared laughter. It’s the kind of recipe that lives on long after the season, returning every cold day to warm hearts and bring people together. I hope this brings some of that sweet warmth into your home too—happy baking!
Gingerbread Cake With Cinnamon Molasses Frosting
Print ThisIngredients
- For the Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup molasses
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the Cinnamon Molasses Frosting
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 1–2 tablespoons milk (adjust for consistency)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat to 350°F. Grease and flour an 8×8 or 9-inch round cake pan.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
Whisk flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine brown sugar, molasses, applesauce, oil, eggs, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
Step 4: Combine and Stir
Add dry ingredients to wet, stirring just until blended. Don’t overmix.
Step 5: Bake
Pour into pan. Bake 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pan, then transfer to a rack.
Step 6: Make Frosting
Whisk powdered sugar, cinnamon, and molasses. Add milk gradually until smooth and spreadable.
Step 7: Frost
Spread frosting over cooled cake with a spatula or spoon.
Step 8: Serve
Slice and serve with tea, coffee, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
