Best 3 Gingerbread Cake Cooks Illustrated Recipes

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Indulge in the delectable Gingerbread Cake, a classic holiday treat that exudes warmth and nostalgia with every bite. This iconic cake is a symphony of flavors, featuring a moist and tender crumb infused with the alluring aroma of ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Perfectly balanced with hints of molasses and brown sugar, this cake is sure to evoke memories of cozy winter gatherings and the joyous spirit of the holiday season. Whether you prefer a classic gingerbread cake with its signature molasses flavor, a decadent chocolate gingerbread cake with a rich and fudgy interior, or a gluten-free version that caters to dietary restrictions, this article presents a curated collection of recipes to satisfy every craving. Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that will leave you feeling festive, comforted, and utterly satisfied.

Let's cook with our recipes!

GINGERBREAD CAKE - COOK'S ILLUSTRATED



Gingerbread Cake - Cook's Illustrated image

Adapted from a recipe at the LiveJournal blog of fantasy author Lynn Flewelling (_Stalking Darkness_, _The Bone Doll's Twin_), which she got from _Cook's Illustrated_. http://bit.ly/ePNCY0

Provided by DrGaellon

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h5m

Yield 9 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

3/4 cup stout beer
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2/3 cup mild molasses
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups flour
2 tablespoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon table salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
2 large eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon finely grated fresh gingerroot

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F Grease and flour an 8x8" square baking pan.
  • Bring stout to a boil in a large saucepan. Off heat, stir in baking soda; it will foam up. When foam subsides, add molasses and both sugars; stir until dissolved.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together flour, ground ginger, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and pepper.
  • Whisk eggs, oil and grated ginger into stout mixture.
  • Whisk wet mixture into flour mixture in thirds, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Pour batter into pan and bake 35-45 min, until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
  • Cool cake in pan on wire rack for 1 1/2 hours. Cut into squares.

GINGERBREAD CAKE



Gingerbread Cake image

An unexpected ingredient makes this cake come alive! Photo and recipe courtesy of Cooks Illustrated.

Provided by Lynnda Cloutier

Categories     Cakes

Number Of Ingredients 18

2 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt
16 tbsp. unsalted butter
2 tbsp. ground ginger
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground allspice
1/4 tsp. pepper
4 large eggs, room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar (10.5 oz)
4 tsp. grated or minced fresh ginger
3/4 cup robust or dark molasses
3/4 cup stout beer
GLAZE:
1 3/4 cups powdered sugar
3 tbsp. ginger ale
1 tsp. ground ginger

Steps:

  • 1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375. Grease and flour 12 cup nonstick Bundt pan. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in large bowl. Melt butter in pan over medium heat til bubbly. Stir in ground ginger, cinnamon, allspice and pepper. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove pan from heat and let cool just slightly. Whisk eggs, sugar and fresh ginger in large bowl til light and frothy. Stir in melted butter mixture, molasses and beer til incorporated. Whisk flour mixture into egg mixture til no lumps remain. Pour batter into prepared pan and gently tap pan on counter to release any air bubbles. Bake til skewer inserted into center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Let cake cool in pan for 20 minutes, then turn out onto wire rack set inside rimmed baking sheet. Let cool completely. For glaze, whisk all ingredients in bowl til smooth. Pour glaze over cooled cake. Let glaze set 15 minutes. Serve. Cook's Illustrated

FAVORITE OLD FASHIONED GINGERBREAD



Favorite Old Fashioned Gingerbread image

This is everyone's holiday favorite, even the busy cook's, because it is so easy to make.

Provided by Charles

Categories     Desserts     Cakes     Spice Cake Recipes

Time 1h45m

Yield 9

Number Of Ingredients 11

½ cup white sugar
½ cup butter
1 egg
1 cup molasses
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup hot water

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9-inch square pan.
  • In a large bowl, cream together the sugar and butter. Beat in the egg, and mix in the molasses.
  • In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Blend into the creamed mixture. Stir in the hot water. Pour into the prepared pan.
  • Bake 1 hour in the preheated oven, until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool in pan before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 375.1 calories, Carbohydrate 65.3 g, Cholesterol 47.8 mg, Fat 11.2 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 4.4 g, SaturatedFat 6.7 g, Sodium 434.7 mg, Sugar 31.5 g

Tips:

  • Mise en Place: Before you start baking, measure and prep all of your ingredients and equipment. This will help you stay organized and avoid scrambling during the baking process.
  • Use Fresh Ginger: Freshly grated ginger provides the best flavor for your gingerbread cake. If you don't have fresh ginger on hand, you can use ground ginger, but reduce the amount by half.
  • Don't Overmix the Batter: Overmixing the batter can result in a tough, dense cake. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
  • Bake the Cake Properly: Make sure your oven is preheated before you put the cake in. Bake the cake for the full amount of time specified in the recipe. Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake to check for doneness. If the toothpick comes out clean, the cake is done.
  • Let the Cake Cool Completely: Before you frost the cake, let it cool completely on a wire rack. This will help the cake to set and make it easier to frost.

Conclusion:

Gingerbread cake is a delicious and festive holiday treat that is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. With a little planning and effort, you can make a delicious gingerbread cake that will be the star of your holiday table.

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