Easy Gingerbread Cake

With mellow, warm spices and a super simple method, this easy Gingerbread Cake is perfectly seasonal and festive. Serve it with decorative sprinkles or add whipped cream or cream cheese frosting.

Gingerbread Cake

We’ve long loved Gingerbread Muffins as festive holiday muffins (or just as a spice muffins whenever the urge strikes), and this cake has many of the same flavors but is a smidge easier to make.

After mixing up the batter in one bowl, you simply pour it into a square pan and bake. It’s simple, delicious, and easy to dress up for a special meal or occasion as you like. It’s one of our very favorite cake recipes.

We usually top with gold decorating sugar for a little extra sparkle, but Cream Cheese Frosting is also a delicious pair for this snack cake.

This works well as a make-ahead Christmas breakfast or as an easy snack to share with the kids while playing (or making Salt Dough Ornaments). So versatile and so yummy.

Ingredients You Need

Here’s a look at the ingredients you need to make this recipe so you know what to have on hand. Scroll down to the end of the post for the full amounts and information.

• Plain whole-milk yogurt: Using yogurt in baked goods helps them to be super moist and delicious. It’s a nutritious way to add moisture without solely relying on oil or butter. I prefer to use full-fat plain yogurt in this recipe for maximum tenderness.
• Eggs: Eggs help the batter hold together nicely in this recipe. See the Notes for an egg-free option.
• Unsalted butter (melted and cooled slightly): A little butter adds richness to this recipe.
• Molasses: Backstrap, unsulfured molasses adds classic gingerbread flavor and mellow sweetness. It also makes the top of the cake ever so slightly sticky, which is a hallmark of gingerbread.
• Vanilla extract: A little vanilla extract rounds out the flavor notes in this snack cake.
• Whole wheat flour: I use whole wheat flour since it holds up well in the mix with the rest of the moist ingredients, but all-purpose can be used as well.
• Brown sugar (lightly packed): In combination with the molasses, this adds flavor and a hint of sweetness.
• Baking soda: Fresh, active baking soda helps the cake rise and bake through properly.
• Ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and allspice (or ground cloves): The combination of these spices adds the classic warmth you expect from gingerbread.
• Coarse or decorating sugar, or whipped cream or Cream Cheese Frosting (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a look at the steps involved in making this easy gingerbread so you know what to expect from the process. Scroll down to the end of the post for the full recipe with the specifics on timing and amounts.

1. Whisk together the wet ingredients in a large bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Gently fold the flour mixture into the yogurt mixture.
3. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing to the edges with a spatula or spoon. I prefer to bake this in a parchment-lined pan so it’s easy to cut and serve, but you can also just grease the pan with nonstick spray.
4. Sprinkle the top with coarse or decorating sugar, if using. (I like to use gold decorating sugar.) Bake until a cake tester inserted into the middle comes out clean.

How to Store

Once cooled, store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days. You can also store it in the fridge if you’d like, though it does firm up a little when cold.

To make ahead and freeze, let cool fully and freeze the entire cake in a gallon-size freezer bag or slice into bars and freeze in a freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature or in the fridge.

Best Tips for Success

• If you don’t have molasses, you can swap in honey. It will taste less like gingerbread, though.
• Serve topped with whipped cream or Cream Cheese Frosting.
• Dairy-free: Use vegetable or coconut oil in place of the butter and ¾ cup nondairy milk in place of the yogurt.
• Gluten-free: Use a 1:1 style-gluten-free flour blend such as the one from King Arthur Flour.
• Egg-Free: Omit the eggs. Add ½ cup milk and proceed with the recipe.
• You may also like my Olive Oil Cake.

Related Recipes

Muffins

Favorite Gingerbread Muffins

Desserts

Healthy Chocolate Cake

Desserts

Easy Gingerbread Cookies

Birthdays

Sweet Potato Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

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