Best 7 Gingerbread Cake Cooks Illustrated Recipes

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Step into the world of culinary delight as we embark on a journey to discover the secrets behind the ultimate gingerbread cake, as envisioned by the masters at Cook's Illustrated. Prepare to tantalize your taste buds and ignite your senses with a confection that embodies the essence of holiday cheer. This article will guide you through the nuances of crafting the perfect gingerbread cake, offering insights and tips to elevate your baking skills.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

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

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     dessert

Time 1h15m

Yield 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

Softened unsalted butter, as needed
1 cup vegetable oil, like soy, peanut, or corn
1 cup sugar
1 cup unsulphured molasses
1 to 2 tablespoons minced crystallized ginger
2 large eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten with a fork
3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon fine salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup water
1 tablespoon baking soda
Serving suggestions: Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream

Steps:

  • Lightly butter a 9 by 13 by 2-inch cake pan and line the bottom with a piece of parchment or wax paper. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the oil, sugar, molasses, and crystallized ginger. Add the eggs and whisk until smooth.
  • In another large bowl, whisk together the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, salt, and cloves. Whisk the molasses mixture into the flour mixture until evenly combined.
  • In a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the baking soda. Whisk the hot water into the batter until just combined. Transfer the batter into the prepared pan. Bake the cake in the center of the oven, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Cool the cake in the pan on a rack. Cut into squares and serve with whipped cream or ice cream.

MARY BERRY'S GINGERBREAD CAKE



Mary Berry's Gingerbread Cake image

Rich, dark moist cake that keeps well. Great with a cuppa, or serve it hot with ice cream or custard for a lush sponge pudding!

Provided by puddingnpie

Time 1h30m

Yield Serves 15

Number Of Ingredients 0

Steps:

  • This mix makes enough to fill 2 x standard 7inch Victoria sandwitch tins or 1 x 10inch diameter tin. Grease and base line your tin(s) with baking paper; preheat the oven to 160C/325F/Gas 3.
  • Gently heat the margarine, sugar and treacle together in a pan, stirring until smooth. Allow to cool a little.
  • In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour and ground spices. Pour in the treacle mix and stir thoroughly to combine. Mince the stem ginger finely and stir with the eggs into the mix.
  • Warm the milk gently in a saucepan, stirring gently to avoid it burning at the base of the pan. Add the bicarb of soda and let it foam a little. Stir into the gingerbread mixture until well blended.
  • Pour into the prepared tin(s).
  • Baking time: for 2x 7 inch cakes is 25-30mins (bake both together). For 1x 10inch cake bake for approx 1 hour or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.
  • This cake keeps really well in an airtight tin, and actually improves over the first 2-3 days. Enjoy!

CLASSIC GINGERBREAD CUTOUTS



Classic Gingerbread Cutouts image

These cookies are so versatile! They are delicious, naturally low-fat, and even make terrific Christmas ornaments that keep for years. Royal Icing is best for decoration. CAUTION: These cookies have a way of disappearing!

Provided by BRANDI9

Categories     Desserts     Cookies     Gingerbread Cookie Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 36

Number Of Ingredients 14

½ cup butter, softened
½ cup brown sugar
⅔ cup molasses
2 eggs
4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground allspice
½ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
1 pound confectioners' sugar
½ teaspoon cream of tartar
3 egg whites

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • In a large bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until smooth. Stir in the molasses and eggs. Combine 1 1/2 cups of the flour, baking soda, salt, allspice, cloves, cinnamon, and ginger; beat into the molasses mixture. Gradually stir in the remaining flour by hand to form a stiff dough.
  • Divide dough into 2 pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters. Place cookies 1 inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
  • Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • In a medium bowl, sift together confectioners' sugar and cream of tartar. Blend in egg whites. Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat for about 5 minutes, or until mixture is thick and stiff. Keep covered with a moist cloth until ready to frost cookies.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 153.2 calories, Carbohydrate 29.8 g, Cholesterol 17.1 mg, Fat 3 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 2.1 g, SaturatedFat 1.7 g, Sodium 79.8 mg, Sugar 17.8 g

GINGERBREAD CAKE



Gingerbread Cake image

"This dark moist cake combines the old-fashioned flavors of ginger and molasses," says Ila Alderman of Galax, Virginia. "The recipe was passed down to me from a dear aunt."

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 40m

Yield 9 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/3 cup shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup molasses
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
Whipped topping

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg. Combine the water and molasses. Combine the flour, ginger, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with molasses mixture, beating well after each addition. Pour into a greased 8-in. square baking pan., Bake at 350° for 28-32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Serve warm with whipped topping.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 241 calories, Fat 8g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 24mg cholesterol, Sodium 150mg sodium, Carbohydrate 40g carbohydrate (22g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.

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

GINGERBREAD CAKE WITH LEMON GLAZE



Gingerbread Cake with Lemon Glaze image

If you're looking for a new addition to your holiday dessert table, I hope you give this a try. Enjoy!

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Desserts     Fruit Dessert Recipes     Lemon Dessert Recipes

Time 45m

Yield 9

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 ¼ teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¾ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
½ cup white sugar
½ cup dark molasses
½ cup vegetable oil
1 egg, beaten
½ cup boiling water
1 cup powdered sugar
¼ cup lemon juice
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Grease and lightly flour a 9-inch square baking pan.
  • Whisk flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and Chinese five-spice powder in a bowl.
  • Stir sugar, molasses, oil, and egg into flour mixture until just combined.
  • Pour in boiling water and whisk until the batter is smooth and shiny, about 1 minute.
  • Pour batter into prepared baking pan. Tap pan gently on the counter to remove any air bubbles.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 35 minutes.
  • Mix powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a bowl until sugar dissolves.
  • Pour lemon juice mixture over cake while cake is still hot. Spread the mixture around with a spatula to ensure even distribution. Let cake cool completely before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 354.6 calories, Carbohydrate 57.5 g, Cholesterol 20.7 mg, Fat 13.1 g, Fiber 0.9 g, Protein 3.2 g, SaturatedFat 1.8 g, Sodium 384.4 mg, Sugar 35.2 g

Tips:

  • Mise en place: Before you start baking, make sure you have all your ingredients and equipment ready. This will help you avoid scrambling and ensure that your cake turns out perfectly.
  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will directly impact the flavor of your cake. Use fresh, organic ingredients whenever possible, and avoid using any ingredients that are past their prime.
  • Follow the recipe carefully: Don't skip any steps or substitute ingredients unless you know exactly what you're doing. Gingerbread cake is a delicate balance of flavors and spices, and any changes you make could ruin the final product.
  • Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing the batter will make the cake tough and dense. Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined, then stop.
  • Bake the cake in a preheated oven: This will help ensure that the cake bakes evenly.
  • Let the cake cool completely before frosting it: This will help prevent the frosting from melting and sliding off the cake.

Conclusion:

Gingerbread cake is a delicious and festive holiday treat that's sure to impress your friends and family. With its warm, spicy flavor and moist, tender texture, this cake is a perfect way to celebrate the season. If you're looking for a delicious and easy-to-make gingerbread cake recipe, be sure to try the one from Cook's Illustrated. You won't be disappointed!

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