Last gingerbread recipe for 2014, cross my heart. I know I have gone slightly gingerbread crazy lately but ’tis the season. And gingerbread in cake form is worth both the effort and the calories. In fact it has become one of THE most popular recipes on my blog and I always thrill when you guys show me your recreations on Instagram.
This cake was made for my son’s nursery and I was madly scrambling to finish it and photograph it before having to deliver it (with a slice missing – I know, terrible, but they are used to my ways).
It was my son’s last nursery Christmas ‘play’ (I use that term very loosely) and there he was dressed in a crusader costume (not sure why – suspect it was simply available) singing Frosty the Snowman together with other slightly stunned kidlets. They were heartbreakingly cute. I am so proud of Sam – he didn’t burst into tears and run into my arms but stood his ground and took his bows like a pro.
The cake was a big hit – solidifying my ‘cake lady’ status at nursery. And it is actually so easy to make, fluffy, Christmassy and delicious. I couldn’t resist topping it with the gingerbread cookies but I think the meringue kisses are my new favourite cake decor.
You can make a large batch and keep them in an airtight tin for decorating emergencies. I have made this cake using fresh ginger (grated) instead of the candied ginger and also stem ginger.
They give slightly different results – the fresh ginger definitely gives a very strong taste which wasn’t terribly popular with my kids. If you can find stem ginger in syrup (try Opies Stem Ginger in Syrup) you can also add a tablespoon of the syrup in the frosting. If you aren’t a big fan of ginger replace with caramel sauce – it goes really well with the flavours of the cake.
Crazy for gingerbread? Try these recipes
Have you made my Gingerbread cake with cinnamon cream cheese frosting?
Share your creations on Instagram and I will share them in my stories or pop by on Facebook and make my day! 
- For the gingerbread cake
- Dry ingredients
- 350 g | 12.3oz | 2 3/4 cups plain all purpose flour
- 330 g | 11.6oz | 1 2/3 cups dark brown sugar
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground cloves
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- ––––––––
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tbsp treacle molasses
- 200 g | 7oz | 3/4 cup + 1 heaped tbsp cold unsalted butter cubed
- 200 ml | 7fl oz | 3/4cup + 2 tbsp whole milk
- 1 tbsp fresh orange or lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- zest of 1 orange
- 3 tbsp very finely diced candied crystallised ginger
- For the frosting
- 300 g | 10.5oz | 1 1/3 cups full-fat cream cheese
- 1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon or vanilla paste
- 400 g | 14oz | 1 3/4 cups double heavy cream, whipped to soft peaks
- 200 g | 7oz | 2 cups icing powdered sugar, more if you prefer it sweeter
- Preheat the oven to 180C (350F). Grease and line three cake tins - or spray with cake release.
- Sift all the dry ingredients and add them to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on low speed to combine.
- Add the cubed butter and mix for a couple of minutes until the mixture resembles sand.
- Add the eggs, one by one, mixing well after each addition. Mix in the treacle.
- Add the milk, orange or lemon juice, vanilla extract and zest and beat together. Stop and scrape the bottom and sides of the mixing bowl. Continue mixing for a couple of minutes until batter is smooth.
- Fold the chopped ginger into the batter and divide between the prepared cake tins.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
- Make the frosting. Whip the double cream and icing sugar (using your stand mixer) till you have soft peaks. Transfer to another bowl.
- Place the cream cheese and ground cinnamon in the bowl of your stand mixer and whip until soft and fluffy. Slowly add the whipped cream and whip together briefly until combined. Don't whip for too long.
- Add a generous amount of frosting on your bottom cake layer and smooth. Top with the second layer and repeat. Add the third layer and then smooth some frosting over the top and sides of the cake. You can leave the cake showing through to achieve the 'naked' cake look or do a crumb coat then chill the cake. Add another layer of frosting and smooth over the cake.
- Top with meringue kisses or gingerbread cookies.
For an alternative frosting/filling, whisk 500g (1lb) mascarpone cheese with 200g (7oz) icing sugar. Gradually add 200g (7oz) double cream and whisk until you have firm peaks. If the frosting is too stiff you can add a bit more cream. Add vanilla extract or cinnamon or any other flavourings you like to customise.
Erica says
Made this cake for our first Christmas in our new home here in Time, Italy and it was SPECTACULAR! Everybody loved it and my uncle said it’s the best cake he’s ever tasted (mind you his wife is an amazing chef and baker) so I’m making it again now for his birthday! Thank you so much and I wish you all the best for this 2018 🙂
Lucy Parissi says
Oh that’s so lovely to hear! You have made my day – tag me on instagram with a photo if you are using it @supergolden88 🙂
Lucy Parissi says
And happy 2018 to you too xxx
Elizabeth says
There is lemon or orange juice listed in the ingredients, but I couldn’t find it in the recipe (or any of the comments). Should it be added at the same time as the zest and vanilla?
Lucy Parissi says
Hi Elisabeth – it is mixed in with the milk, sorry if unclear. Edited the recipe recently and must have removed the reference by mistake
Rebecca says
Hi,
I’m making this today for Xmas! I was wondering if it is ok to bake cakes one at a time, as in fill cake tin and leave the rest of batter until it’s cooked, then do the rest and so on?
Lucy Parissi says
It’s not ideal (one of raising agents activates when mixed) but think you will be ok! Hope you can sent me a photo on instagram!
Susan says
I am thinking of making this for Christmas, where can I find bicarbonate of soda, or what would I use as a substitute if I can’t not find it? The cake sounds so yummy I can’t wait to make it.
Lucy Parissi says
Bicarbonate of soda is what baking soda is called in the UK – should be very easy to source. Alternatively you could use self-raising flour without any added rising agents but I must admit I haven’t tested the recipe using it.
Kristen says
Hello! I noticed that for the whipping cream you have 400g / 7 oz and for the icing sugar you have 200g / 7 oz. Did you mean to put 200g for the whipping cream as well? Should it be equal parts whipping cream to icing sugar? Thanks!
Lucy Parissi says
Hi Kristen, you can certainly increase the quantity of icing sugar but the conversion is an error on my part (will amend). It is meant to be 400g/14oz cream and 200g/7oz icing sugar. I have also provided an alternative frosting in the recipe notes which requires a bit less work but tastes and looks very similar to the original frosting.
Kristen says
Hi Lucy, thanks for the quick reply!
I made the cake and it was delicious!
The candied ginger was such a nice touch. I also sprayed the cakes with a little orange simple syrup and it was really tasty.
Thanks again for the recipe, definitely a keeper 🙂
Sarah says
Could I make cupcakes out of this recipe? If so what temperature and how long?
Lucy Parissi says
Hi Sarah – yes you might get as many as 24+. Baked at 180C (350F) for around 18-20 mins for small cupcakes and 20-23 mins for larger ones. Fill the cases about 2/3 as they will rise
Lora says
The article says possible subbing Carmel sauce for candied ginger, how much? I forgot candied ginger.
Lucy Parissi says
You can leave the candied ginger out, its not essential. If you like you can add 1/2 tsp ground ginger instead.
Jody says
Hi! I know this is an old post but I am hoping you might still answer 😉 I am wondering if you think this recipe would be suitable for cupcakes? Thank you x
Lucy Parissi says
Yes it would be perfect for cupcakes but you might get quite a few of them – probably at least 24!
Becky says
Hi Lucy I found your recipe via google 🙂 years after you posted haha hallelujah for the internet!
I followed it thoroughly apart from the fact i replaced some of the bits with similar stuff I already had like: dark muscovado sugar, Algarve nectar added a tiny bit of vanilla to the frosting.
IT turned out that it only made 2 tiers of cake in 2 cake tins and there was way too much frosting & mine ended up being super wet so I could layer it on thick unless I left the first layer to dry over sometime.
Other than that the cake turned out AMAZING!!!!! Everyone was complimenting the flavours and even I was shocked I produced something so delicious! Thanks for your recipe 🙂 This was the 2nd cake I have ever baked in my entire life and it turned out well because of you!
Lucy Parissi says
Hurray for the internet indeed! Am glad it tasted good despite the 2 layers (you could bake for longer and slice them in half) 🙂
Naomi says
Just wondering how long this cake will keep for?
Lucy Parissi says
The cake itself keeps really well wrapped in plastic wrap (once cooled) at room temperature. Once you frost it I would not keep it for longer than 2-3 days. Hope this helps.
Jess Whitehead says
Is it really a tablespoon of baking powder. Seems alot!
Thanks!
Lucy Parissi says
Yes it is – cake has been tested many, many times. Trust me!
Caroline M says
I’m planning on making this for a Christmas Eve celebration, and I noticed that your meringues look a little brown and I was wondering if you added some sort of spice or something so they were more themed to the cake? Maybe it’s just the way the pictures turned out but I wanted to ask anyway. I’m so excited to make it!
Lucy Parissi says
Hi Caroline – it is more likely to be the photos rather than any spices. But you could definitely add some cinnamon to them if you wanted to make them more in tune with the cake. Or add golden caster sugar with a touch of soft brown sugar which will give them a more toasted look.
Paula says
Just served this tonight for a Christmas dinner party. It turned out beautiful! So festive looking. Your directions were great. I increased ants for 3 9″ pans. Tasted delicious but on the dry side. I think I overbaked a bit. Thank u for the inspiration.
Paula in Nebraska
Lucy Parissi says
Hi Paula – thanks so much for stopping by to comment. Sorry it was a bit dry! You can try soaking the sponge layers with a little sugar syrup or a little rum/brandy to keep them moist. Happy holidays 🙂
abby @ thingsforboys says
I made yesterday. So lovely! I made half the quantity and it was enough for a deep 6″ cake. I also used a browned butter cinnamon cream cheese frosting recipe which went with it perfectly. Satisfied my gingerbread craving!
Lucy Parissi says
Mmmm browned butter sounds amazing in the frosting! I just made a recipe with browned butter yesterday. So glad the cake turned out well xxx
Lucy says
Hi Lucy, do you think the cake layers would be suitable to freeze one week ahead?
This is assuming I can’t freeze the whole cake once frosted, although have had success freezing carrot cake with cream cheese frosting in the past… Would love to know your thoughts.
From (another) Lucy
Lucy Parissi says
I think freezing the layers would be fine – though haven’t tested it myself. They do keep very well for at least three days if baked ahead, simply wrapped at room temperature. I would avoid freezing a frosted cake I think it affects the texture.
Lucy says
I made this cake at the weekend and everyone said it’s the best cake I’ve ever made!
Fab receipe and really easy to follow.
I only had 1 tin rather than three so had to keep swapping but made the gingerbread and frosting in between so it was simple.
Thanks Lucy! 🎄🍰 definitely in the xmas spirit now!!
Lucy Parissi says
Hi Lucy – thanks for your wonderful comment and so happy the cake turned out so well. You have made me smile very big and I needed to be cheered up! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas 🙂
Rosalia says
Hi! I would love to make this cake for Christmas but was just wondering if I substitute the ginger in the cake for caramel sauce would I still use 3 tbsps?
Lucy Parissi says
Hi Rosalia, I should think three tablespoons of thick caramel sauce would be fine. Nothing too watery as it might change the thickness of the batter / or frosting.
Hope this helps,
Lucy
jane says
hi just wondering what is the nutritional values in this cake?
Lucy Parissi says
Hi Jane – am afraid I don’t have those to hand. Will try to create them when things get a little less hectic. You could try entering the ingredients into caloriecount(.)com which will analyse it for you. Sorry I can’t be more helpful.
Tina Riccio says
OK, so I’m thinking its sold as Heavy Whipping Cream here, which is what I thought! Thank you for the quick response.
Lucy Parissi says
I believe so – or thickened cream maybe? Anything that whips 🙂
tina says
This looks fantastic! One question, what us double cream? Heavy Cream?
Lucy Parissi says
Double cream is cream with 48% fat content – able to whip to firm peaks. Hope this helps?
Michelle says
Thanks 😊I’m excited to eat it I love gingerbread
I’m also using spelt flour so I’m hoping
It turns out ok🎄🎄
Michelle says
Hi Lucy
Making this cake this weekend for a Christmas
Celebration 🎄What size baking tins did you use😊
It looks amazing 🎄🎄
Thanks Michelle
Lucy Parissi says
Hi Michelle – I used 3x20cm 8inch cake tins. You can use smaller ones to make it four layers. Hope it turns out well xx
Sophie says
Hi! Just baking this and I’ve made a slight substitution to make it gluten free. How wet should the mixture be once it’s mixed? Mine looks quite loose.
Lucy Parissi says
Hi Sophie – must admit have not tried this with gluten-free flour. The batter is not too thin – should be pourable but thick enough to spread with a knife to level if that makes sense. Please report back and let me know if the gluten-free version worked!
Sophie Robards says
Thanks. It went well but I think my batter was a little too thin so that’s a learning for next time! I’ve popped a photo on instagram and tagged you. Thanks for the recipe. 🙂
Lucy Parissi says
Hi Sophie – thanks for sharing it made my day! And thanks for the feedback – glad you liked the cake 🙂
AJ says
I just made this and it turned out perfect! The only change I made was switching out the flour for 1:1 gluten free baking flour. The batter was thick and it looked great. Thank you for a great recipe!
Lucy Parissi says
So glad to hear it! I need to experiment with some GF flour – clearly there’s a lot of call for it. Thank you for stopping by to comment 🙂
Emma @ Supper in the Suburbs says
I love that this went to your son’s nursery with the slice already cut out 😛 I do this all the time to my cakes and people get so annoyed hahaha. Especially my other half who has now banned me from pre-cutting his birthday cake…I guess it’s only fair…looks delicious Lucy 🙂
Lucy Parissi says
I know… it’s bad isn’t it? But you have to show the interior of a cake on a food blog.
Lauren says
Hey Lucy!
You’ve combined three out of four of my favourite ingredients in this recipe!
I’d love to feature this recipe in my Christmas recipe roundup post on kneadtodough.net – it would include one photo, the recipe title, your credit and link to your website so readers can find the recipe.
If you’re happy to be featured, please reply to my comment or via my website and let me know!
Thanks so much,
Lauren
Lucy Parissi says
Hi Lauren – thanks for your comment, I would love to be featured. xx
Sheryl says
This cake looks divine! I love to bake and would love to make this; however I don’t have a scale for the precise measurements you’ve listed. Would you please provide the measurements differently-such as by cups and tablespoon or teaspoon?
Lucy Parissi says
Hi Sheryl. Thanks for stopping by. I have added the cup measurements best I can. For the milk the most accurate measurement 200ml is 1 cup minus 2 tablespoons. If you manage to make this please let me know how it turned out xx
Liza says
I used just about 2 3/4 cups plus a tad of flour which turned out quite well! Can’t remember how much sugar I ended up with…
Lucy Parissi says
Thanks for the feedback!
Chanley says
You are saying you used 2 3/4 cup flour plus a little more? Thanks!
Chanley says
Can you add cup measurements for the flour and brown sugar? Not seeing them.
Lucy Parissi says
Hi – have added them as best I can – this link might be helpful also https://www.dovesfarm.co.uk/hints-tips/cheat-sheets/us-cups-conversion-table
Jules says
Does this cake need to stay in the frig? Or can it be left out on the table
Lucy Parissi says
I have left it out overnight in a cold room. But if it’s hot out I would probably put it in the fridge.
Mumoftwo says
Made this cake yesterday and it was divine! Moist and the frosting just beautiful and light – not too sweet at all!
Lucy Parissi says
Yay! You have made me very happy – comments like yours make it all worthwhile 🙂
HypocriticalOath says
How do you make the cookies?
Lucy Parissi says
The link to the cookie recipe is provided at the end of the cake recipe
Anonymous says
This is a generous recipe and it looks yummy. I'll give it a try this next week. If we like that cake it will be our Christmas dessert.
Lucy Parissi says
Hope you like it and Merry Christmas : )
Fiver Feeds says
This looks like a perfect winter cake! 🙂