Gingerbread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Pomegranates are my favorite winter fruit. And I just can’t get enough of them this winter. Now I realize that most people associate gingerbread with the holidays, but I like to think of it as a winter flavor. Similar to peppermint, I bake with these spices any time the weather is chilly.
This dessert is everything you could hope for. The cake it spicy. Extra spicy. The orange zest provides a subtle scent. The frosting is smooth, creamy, and rich. And those pomegranate seeds – they absolutely make this cake. They give a little crunch and a burst of fruity juice like no other ingredient can. As you can see, I used a LOT of pomegranate seeds on my cake!
So feel free to save this recipe for the holidays, or do like me and throw the status quo out the window and make this whenever you feel like it!
One Year Ago: Candied Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies and Black and Tan Brownies
Three Years Ago: Spicy Sweet Pretzel Party Mix
Four Years Ago: Alton Brown’s Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
Five Years Ago: Chocolate Cupcakes and Stuffed Chicken Burgers
Gingerbread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Yield: Serves 12
Ingredients:
For the cake
2 1/4 cups flour
2 tsp ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cloves
Dash of freshly-grated nutmeg
1 3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs
3/4 cup unsulphered molasses (not blackstrap)
1/4 cup honey
2 tsp orange zest
3/4 cup warm water
For the frosting
8 ounces cream cheese, chilled
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
Big pinch of salt
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
Pomegranate seeds from 1 pomegranate, for garnish
Directions:
Place a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8×8-inch square (or 9-inch round) baking pan. Line with parchment paper and grease the parchment paper. Set pan aside.
To make the cake, in a medium bowl, whisk together flour, spices, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl whisk together vegetable oil, sugar, and eggs until thick and pale. Stir in molasses, honey, and orange zest. Add the dry ingredients, all at once, to the wet ingredients. Stir together until entirely incorporated. Add the warm water and gently stir until entirely incorporated and the mixture is silky smooth.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan. If you find that the mixture fills the pan more than three-quarters of the way full, you might consider using a larger pan (a 9 or 10-inch pan may serve your better).
Bake cake for 35-45 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow cake to cool in the pan for 20 minutes. Using the edges of the parchment paper, remove and allow to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting the cake.
To make the frosting, in the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, blend the cream cheese on medium speed. The cream cheese should be as soft and smooth as possible. Stop the mixer and add the softened butter. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat the two together over medium speed until smooth and incorporated. Add one cup of powdered sugar. Blend on low until incorporated. Add remaining cup of powdered sugar and the vanilla on low until incorporated. Increase to medium high speed and beat until frosting is smooth and silky.
Frost the cooled cake and sprinkle with pomegranate seeds before serving.
This cake can be stored, in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days.
Recipe from Joy the Baker, as seen on Indigo Scones
I am Jen the Beantown Baker. Engineer by day and baking maven by night. Hubby serves as my #1 fan and official taste tester. We got hitched back in 2006. Barefoot. In the sand. With the waves crashing behind us. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. 
This looks just plain amazing…and I’m not even a huge chocolate fan! The different textures must be delectable — good thing Valentine’s Day is coming up =)
This looks like my favorite cake I’ve never tried. Yum! After reading the directions, it seems like you could reduce the prep time by simply preparing the brownie batter first and setting it aside while prepping the cake batter, and then baking them at the same time. Either way, I am putting this on my “MUSTS!” list. Thanks for sharing.
Wow!! That looks amazing. It would make a great chocolage indulgence for Valentine’s Day.
WOW! That looks amazing! I love the filling. I’m starring to try for sure. Chocolate cake is always a big winner with guests. 🙂
Mmmm….chocolate! Looks fantastic 🙂
Man, this cake is serious stuff!! I would love some of that! Thanks for all the tips on how to make it more efficiently.
Wow.
That is one amazing way to celebrate.
OMG That looks awesome. I wish I could take it out of the computer screen and eat it right now!!!
While I’m not a chocolate cake fan I have to say that is one delicious and impressive looking cake! Definitely makes wish I was into chocolate. 🙂
~ingrid
Did anyone count the calories? 😉
Thanks for sharing this recipe. I really feel hungry!
Cheers,
Carsten
tasteandshare.com
food social network * wine social network
gloof
Talk about death by chocolate! That looks incredible!
This is such a beautiful cake! I really want to give it a whirl. A lot of chocolate but totally worth it!
omg. this looks A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. can i get a piece right now please?!
wow. that looks amazing
Looks absolutely fabulous. Really wonderful photos too!
So glad I stumbled upon your blog.
🙂
ButterYum
beautiful cake! one can never be tired of Chocolate! and those strawberries steal the show!:)
Yummy! that would’ve have been a perfect finger food! love the cheesy texture:)
this would be perfect for the Valentine day giveaway I’m hosting on my blog. would be great if you could participate!
http://www.funandfoodcafe.com/2010/02/valentine-super-bowl-recipe-carnival.html
Is a cake like this even legal? This is going to be a most special addition in the KOL round up. Thanks for participating, Jen!
Wow!! Just the way the CHocorango likes! Kinda perfect!
When I made this, I almost went into a chocolate coma. But it was totally worth it!!!