Soft, spiced, warm gingerbread topped with creamy icing

This warm gingerbread cake delivers everything you love about classic holiday baking rich molasses flavor, cozy spices, and a tender crumb that fills the house with seasonal aroma. It’s perfect for anyone craving a gingerbread spice cake, small gingerbread cake, or a beautiful gingerbread with icing finish. This recipe is designed to be simple and beginner-friendly, and the frosting comes together in minutes, making it ideal for busy bakers who still want something homemade and memorable. Whether you prefer a smooth glaze, thick frosting for gingerbread cake, or decorative toppings for gingerbread cake, this recipe gives you gorgeous results every time.

Table of Contents

Time Breakdown

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Servings: 9 squares or 1 small cake

Ingredients List

For the Gingerbread Spice Cake

• 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
• 1 ½ tsp ginger
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ½ tsp cloves
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup (240 ml) hot water
• ½ cup (120 ml) molasses
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Gingerbread Cake Icing (Creamy Vanilla Glaze)

Perfect frosting for gingerbread cake + gingerbread topping ideas!

• 1 ½ cups (180 g) powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2–4 tbsp milk (adjust for thickness)
• Pinch of cinnamon (optional)

Optional Toppings For Gingerbread Cake

• Dusting of powdered sugar
• Crushed ginger snaps
• Drizzle of caramel
• Whipped cream
• Cinnamon sugar mix

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.

• 8×8 baking pan (for a small gingerbread cake)
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Rubber spatula
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Cooling rack
• Sifter (optional for powdered sugar)

Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions

1. Prep your pan
   • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
   • Grease an 8×8 pan and line with parchment for easy removal.
2. Mix the dry ingredients
   • Whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and salt until evenly combined.
3. Cream butter + sugar
   • In a separate bowl, beat softened butter and brown sugar for 2 minutes until light and creamy.
4. Add egg, molasses, and vanilla
   • Mix in egg, then molasses, then vanilla. The mixture should be dark and glossy.
5. Add hot water
   • Carefully pour in hot water and stir until smooth. Batter will be thin — this is correct.
6. Combine wet + dry
   • Stir dry ingredients into the wet mixture until fully incorporated. Avoid overmixing.
7. Bake
   • Pour batter into prepared pan.
   • Bake 28–33 minutes, until the cake springs back in the center and edges pull away slightly.
   • Cool 10 minutes, then transfer to cooling rack.
8. Make the icing
   • Whisk powdered sugar, melted butter, vanilla, and milk until smooth.
   • For gingerbread with icing, keep glaze pourable; add more milk if needed.
9. Frost the cake
   • Pour icing over the warm gingerbread cake for the best melt + soak effect.
   • Spread gently with a spatula for an even layer.
10. Add toppings
    • Dust powdered sugar for a classic look.
    • Add whipped cream for warm gingerbread cake style.
    • Sprinkle crushed ginger snaps for added crunch.

Pro Tips

1. Warm serving hack:
   Heat slices in the microwave for 10–12 seconds for the perfect warm gingerbread cake experience.
2. Make it mini:
   Bake in mini pans or ramekins to create individually sized small gingerbread cakes.
3. Flavor boost:
   Add orange zest to the icing for a holiday twist.
4. Storage:
   Keeps 3 days covered at room temperature or 5 days refrigerated.

Nutrition Table

Serving Size	Calories	Protein	Carbs	Fat	Fiber	Sugar
1 plate	420	18g	35g	22g	4g	6g

Conclusion

This gingerbread spice cake gives you everything warmth, spice, soft texture, and endless topping possibilities. Whether you prefer gingerbread with icing, a small gingerbread cake portion, or a beautifully frosted holiday dessert, this recipe is an easy go-to for festive baking. Cozy, simple, and perfect for any winter celebration

FAQs