There’s nothing quite like the aroma of a freshly baked spiced ginger cake wafting through the kitchen. This simple yet incredibly flavorful cake is perfect for a cozy afternoon treat, a festive gathering, or a heartwarming dessert any day of the week.

In this article, we’ll guide you step-by-step through the process of making a moist and delicious spiced ginger cake. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe is easy to follow and sure to impress. So gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and let’s get baking!

Table of Contents

Ingredients You’ll Need

For a truly aromatic and flavorful spiced ginger cake, you’ll need the following ingredients:

225g (1 1/2 cups) all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
115g (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
175g (3/4 cup) packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
175ml (3/4 cup) molasses
175ml (3/4 cup) hot water

Optional Ingredients:

1/2 cup chopped crystallized ginger, for extra ginger flavor and texture
1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, for added crunch

Tools You’ll Need

9×13 inch baking pan
Parchment paper or butter and flour for greasing
Mixing bowls
Electric mixer or whisk
Measuring cups and spoons
Rubber spatula
Toothpick or cake tester

Let’s Get Baking: Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal later.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Set this aside.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. You can use an electric mixer or a whisk for this step.
Add Egg and Molasses: Beat in the egg, followed by the molasses, until well combined.
Gradually Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the hot water. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
Optional Add-ins: If you’re using crystallized ginger or chopped nuts, gently fold them into the batter now.
Pour and Bake: Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Spiced Ginger Cake Batter

Tips and Tricks for Baking Success

Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and egg are at room temperature before starting. This will help them incorporate more easily into the batter, resulting in a lighter cake.
Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the batter can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough cake. Mix until the ingredients are just combined.
Test for Doneness: Start checking for doneness around the 25-minute mark. Insert a toothpick or cake tester into the center of the cake – if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, it’s ready.

FAQs About Spiced Ginger Cake

Q: Can I use blackstrap molasses instead of regular molasses?

A: While blackstrap molasses can be used, it has a more intense, slightly bitter flavor that might overpower the other spices in the cake. If you do use it, you may want to reduce the amount to 1/2 cup and add an extra tablespoon or two of brown sugar.

Q: Can I freeze spiced ginger cake?

A: Yes, this cake freezes beautifully! Once the cake has cooled completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then again in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. To thaw, let it sit at room temperature overnight.

Serving and Enjoying Your Spiced Ginger Cake

This spiced ginger cake is delicious on its own, but you can elevate it further with these serving suggestions:

Whipped Cream or Ice Cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream complements the warm spices beautifully.
Lemon Glaze: A simple lemon glaze adds a touch of tanginess that cuts through the richness of the cake.
Warm Caramel Sauce: For a truly decadent treat, drizzle warm caramel sauce over the cake.

Slices of Spiced Ginger Cake

Explore More Delicious Recipes

If you enjoyed this spiced ginger cake recipe, you might also like these other tempting treats:

How to Make Spiced Pumpkin Cake: Indulge in the warm flavors of fall with our delicious spiced pumpkin cake recipe. [link to https://familycuisine.net/how-to-make-spiced-pumpkin-cake/ with text “How to Make Spiced Pumpkin Cake”]
How to Make Ginger Nut Cookies: These crispy and chewy cookies are packed with ginger flavor and perfect for dunking in tea or coffee. [link to https://familycuisine.net/how-to-make-ginger-nut/ with text “How to Make Ginger Nut Cookies”]

We hope you give this spiced ginger cake recipe a try! It’s a simple yet satisfying bake that’s sure to become a family favorite. Don’t forget to share your baking experiences and photos with us in the comments below – we love hearing from you!

Article by Family Cuisine

We are the food lovers, the taste testers, the kitchen experimenters who make up the familycuisine.net team. We're chefs, home cooks, and culinary enthusiasts who have come together to share our passion for food with you. With the help of AI, we're able to bring you the most delicious, reliable, and exciting content from around the world.