Description
This molasses ginger cake is a rich, tender, and deeply spiced dessert that brings warmth and comfort with every bite. Made with unsulfured molasses, a trio of gingers (ground, fresh, and crystallized if desired), and a cozy blend of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, this cake is as bold as it is balanced. It’s the perfect make-ahead treat for the holidays, weekend baking, or whenever you’re craving something sweet and spiced.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1½ tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup (100g) brown sugar
- ⅔ cup (160ml) unsulfured molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup (240ml) hot water
- Optional: 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger
- Optional: ¼ cup chopped crystallized ginger
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8-inch (20 cm) round or square cake pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the molasses and mix well. Then, beat in the egg until fully combined.
- Slowly stir in the hot water. The batter will be thin — that’s normal and helps ensure a moist molasses ginger cake.
- Gently fold in the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined. If using fresh or crystallized ginger, stir them in now.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- To boost the spice factor, add freshly grated ginger along with the ground variety.
- For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- You can also top this spiced cake with lemon glaze or cream cheese frosting for a more indulgent finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: molasses ginger cake, spiced cake recipe, ginger molasses dessert, old-fashioned ginger cake, sticky ginger cake, moist spice cake, ginger loaf recipe