Just four sleeps until Christmas (I get the daily count down from my kids, ha ha!) and just time to squeeze in a festive treat to enjoy these holidays. It doesn’t feel like Christmas until I’ve baked something spiced and the homely aromas that come from the kitchen when this gingerbread cake is in the oven are so enticing and comforting.
This is not the usual light and fluffy every day cake, but a richer and slightly denser tray bake thanks to the addition of molasses and molasses sugar. It’s topped with a velvety cream cheese icing which I made with muscovado sugar to give it a hint of toffee. I chose to leave my gingerbread cake as is but you could add some decorations like sugared berries, caramel popcorn or glitter – it is Christmas after all!
This year has certainly been an unforgettable one and Christmas will be a little different this year too, but wherever you are I hope that its festive and enjoyable. Above all please stay safe (and preferably at home doing some Christmas baking!). Enjoy x
GINGERBREAD SQUARES
For the gingerbread:
- 150g butter, softened
- 250g molasses sugar
- 100g molasses
- 2 large eggs
- 300g flour
- 10ml (2 tsp) ground ginger
- 5ml (1 tsp) ground cinnamon
- 1.25ml (¼ tsp) nutmeg
- 1.25ml (¼ tsp) cloves
- 15ml (1 tbsp) baking powder
- pinch of salt
- 225ml warm milk
For the icing:
- 75g butter, softened
- 75g light muscovado sugar
- 2.5ml (½ tsp) vanilla extract
- 200g full fat smooth cream cheese, softened
1.) Preheat the oven to 180ºC. Line and grease a rectangular cake tin (I used a 28cm x 20cm tin).
2.) Cream the butter and sugar together for a good few minutes until fluffy and light in colour.
3.) Add the molasses and eggs and mix to combine.
4.) Sift the flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking powder and salt into a separate bowl. Add half of the dry ingredients to the batter and mix in. Then mix in half of the milk, followed by the remaining dry ingredients and milk.
5.) Pour the batter into the prepared tray. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until an inserted skewer comes out clean. Once baked leave to cool completely.
6.) To make the icing whisk the butter and sugar in high speed for a few minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy and smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl regularly.
7.) Whisk in the vanilla extract. Add the cream cheese and whisk until just combined.
8.) Remove the cooled cake from the tin and spread the icing over the top. Cut into squares and serve.
Looks decidedly delicious
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Thanks Sheree! We’ve already made it more than once these hols. 😉
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I think I understand why
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I love spiced cakes. Reminds me of the holidays. And the cream cheese frosting looks smooth and delicious.
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Thanks Tommy! This cake definitely screams holidays. 😉
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What is molasses sugar? Brown sugar? Dark brown sugar?I would love to make this cake and want to make it as written. Thank you!
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Hi Stephanie! Dark brown sugar would be perfect as it contains more molasses to give the cake its rich flavour. 😉
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