GINGERBREAD CAKE with MOLASSES CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

You know how most food bloggers get all excited about pumpkin and apple recipes come September 1^st?  Well that’s how I am about gingerbread, come the day after Thanksgiving.

I like pumpkin and apples fine, but I’m just not ready to let go of summer at that time.  I betcha I don’t relent summer until the end of October.  But by the time Thanksgiving has come, I’m ready to bring in Christmas, my favorite of all celebrations, and with it, all things gingerbread!

The most prominent flavors in gingerbread are molasses and ginger.  

I’ve always had a thing for molasses, my great grandma always had a candy bowl full of Allsorts candy in her home, and when I’d visit my hand was always in that candy jar. 

Ginger, however; I didn’t acquire a taste for until probably when I was in my late 20’s.  I think because ginger is spicy hot, and the flavor is kind of florally and soapy, and no kid wants to eat soapy voluntarily…

But now ginger is one of my faves…Apparently as an adult I don’t mind the soapy. 

I’m not sure what that says about me!

I decided to make this Gingerbread Cake a sheet cake, because most holiday parties have all kinds of sweets going on, dessert buffets even, and if you’re like me, you like to try a little of everything, so a big slice of a double layer cake is out of the question.  

Gingerbread Cake definitely tastes of molasses and spices, and I wanted to reinforce those flavors in the frosting because I’m so gaga for them so I added molasses and cinnamon to the Molasses Cream Cheese Frosting and then sprinkled slivers of crystalized ginger over the top.  Some of you folks may not have the same affection that I do for molasses, and if that’s the case, a lemon cream cheese frosting would complement the Gingerbread Cake equally as well; either way, the crystallized ginger is a must in my book, it really makes the dessert!

Now listen to how I rationalize eating this dessert without guilt.  Because this is naturally a denser cake, I felt that it was okay to use some whole wheat flour, which has fiber, protein & iron.  Molasses is super-duper-duper high in iron and calcium.  Cinnamon helps with diabetes, heart disease, brain function, and arthritis.  Ginger also helps with arthritis, has anti-viral properties and aids in digestion!   

See what I did there?   

You're welcome and Merry Christmas!

 

GINGERBREAD CAKE with MOLASSES CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Makes a 9” x 13” sheet cake

FOR THE GINGERBREAD CAKE

1              cup         Whole wheat flour

1              cup         All-purpose flour

1½            tsp.        Ground ginger

1              tsp.        Ground cinnamon

¼             tsp.        Ground cloves

¼             tsp.        Ground black pepper

1              tsp.        Baking soda

½             tsp.        Baking powder

½             tsp.        Salt

½             cup        Butter, softened to room temperature
1/3           cup        Greek yogurt, full fat

½             cup        Brown sugar

¾             cup        Molasses

2                           Eggs

2/3            cup        Boiling water

1              recipe     Cream Cheese Molasses Frosting

½             cup        Crystallized ginger, cut into slivers (loosely packed ½ cup)

1.  Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.  Either spray a 9 x 13 x 2 inch baking dish with baking spray, or grease it with butter and flour.

2.  Combine the dry ingredients, whole wheat flour through salt, in a medium bowl, whisk to combine, and set to the side.

3.  In a large bowl cream together the softened butter and brown sugar; a handheld mixer work well for this.  Beat in the Greek yogurt, eggs, and molasses and mix for a good 2 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.  Mix in half of the flour just until combined, and then mix in the boiling water, finally mix in the remaining flour.

4.  Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake 25 to 30 minutes until the center of the cake springs back when touched, or a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.  Allow to the cake to cool completely before frosting.

5.  Spread the frosting evenly over the entire cooled cake, and then distribute the crystallized ginger over the frosted cake.

FOR THE MOLASSES CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

4              oz.         Cream cheese, softened to room temperature (half of an 8 oz. block)

2              oz.         Butter, softened to room temperature (1/4 cup)

2           cups        Confectioner’s sugar

1 ½         Tbsp.        Molasses

¼             tsp.        Ground cinnamon (heaping)

1.  In a medium bowl cream together the cream cheese and butter.  Add half of the confectioner’s sugar, as well as the molasses and cinnamon, whisk until combined, and then beat in the remaining confectioner’s sugar until completely smooth. 

Note:  If you’re not a molasses nut, like I am, then omit the molasses and cinnamon in the frosting, and substitute the zest of one lemon instead.

 

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Nanaimo Bars, a favorite Canadian Treat

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