Rich, molasses and spice gingerbread cake, topped with fresh whipped cream. This classic gingerbread is a family traditional recipe that has been passed down from generations so your Christmas can be complete with gingerbread.
Can something taste like Christmas? Because this soft, spicy, cozy, rich, delicious, traditional gingerbread cake has all the flavors that make me feel like the season is here, and Christmas is coming.
Have you ever tried a gingerbread before?
Not the cookie, or the stuff you use to make a gingerbread house, but the cake version? I did not grow up eating it, and so when my mother in law told me she had a gingerbread recipe that has been passed down through many generations of her family, and I should use it on my blog, I thought she was talking cookies. I told her I already had a gingerbread recipe on my blog that I love (Find the cookies here), but she assured me I needed to try hers.
And guess what. I did not have anything like it on my blog already. This gingerbread, is more like cake. And wowzers! It is seriously delicious. The richness from the molasses and spices are offset with a light and delicious fresh whipped cream.
The cake is dense, and moist, and has crunchy bits of deliciousness. It is a classic recipe that my mother-in-law got from her mother, who got it from hers. It is a traditional gingerbread, that screams Christmas with the cozy notes of molasses, and the rich, comforting, deliciousness of it.
Basically I could wax on all day long telling you about it because after just one bite I was hooked. And I vowed to make it part of my children’s Christmas tradition because a recipe this good needs to be passed on.
You guys, the first time I tried the gingerbread, I could not stop eating it. I had a slice of cake for breakfast. At lunch I pulled it back out and had another slice. Then after dinner, when my kids asked for dessert, I covetously told them to pick something else, the gingerbread was mine! Hahah, okay, that last bit was not true, but I did consider it.
Christmas Markets in Poland
During a recent visit to Poland, I visited the Christmas Markets, and you could find delicious gingerbreads in many of the vendor stalls. They were cut into different shapes, and decorated with icing, sugar, chocolate, and more. And they were rich, soft, and delicious. This cake tastes as good, but is cake! And that my friends is a win.
And just look at the whipped cream frosting! Delicious. While I was walking the stalls at the Christmas Market, I kept trying to think how I could get the gingerbread home with me without it getting crushed and broken. Then I realized I really didn’t need to because I already had a great recipe at my disposal, and I could simply recreate those cozy flavors in my kitchen at home! And have a delicious whipped cream topping too.
The fluffy freshness of the whipped cream is perfect for the spicy sweetness of the cake. So there you go, awesome gingerbread flavor in an easy form.
More Christmas recipes that you might enjoy:
- Christmas Sugar Cookies
- White Chocolate Peppermint Christmas Popcorn
- Wassail
- Thumbprint Cookies
- Cherry Cheesecake Butter Tarts
Gingerbread
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp ginger
- 1/2 tsp cloves
- 1/2 cup crisco shortening
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup molasses
- 1 large egg room temp
Topping
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 Tbs flour
- 2 Tbs butter
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup walnuts chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix together the gingerbread ingredients.
- Pour into a greased 9 x 13 baking dish. We all have heard of Pyrex Baking Dish and that is what I used to bake this gingerbread in.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.
- Mix the topping together in a bowl
- After 35 minutes, sprinkle the topping over, and bake an additional 10 minutes.
Nutrition
Our recipe card software calculates these nutrition facts based on averages for the above ingredients, different brands, and quality of produce/meats may have different nutritional information, always calculate your own based on the specific products you use in order to achieve accurate macros for this recipe.
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Pin to your CHRISTMAS DESSERT Board:
Karly says
Oh my gosh, YUM. I don’t doubt my ability to eat this entire cake on my own, it looks that good! Need this in my life!
Rachael says
Hahaha, yeah, I ate almost all of it myself.
Britaania says
I was wondering if baking soda or another leavening was left out?
Bec says
So interested in the Christmas markets in Poland too! Shame on me – I have been to several others – eg Prague, and heard of many – and I didn’t even know there were Christmas markets in Poland. On the list – now I’m going to make gingerbread.
Rachael says
Bec, they are beautiful and so fun! I am doing a Christmas market tour this year hitting up Christmas markets in Vienna, Prague, Budapest, and Bratislava, as well as a couple in Germany! I can’t wait. Enjoy your gingerbread!