Gingerbread Cake Recipes | Classic Gingerbread & Maple Sugar Gingerbread
These two gingerbread cakes come from vintage community cookbook traditions—one classic molasses gingerbread with a crumb topping, and one maple sugar gingerbread brightened with lemon. Both are simple, warmly spiced, and perfect for fall or winter baking.
Use the jump links below to go straight to the recipe you want, then bake at 350°F until set and fragrant.
Recipes on this page
Use the links below to jump directly to each Gingerbread Recipe.
Gingerbread Cake
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons shortening
- 1 egg
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup nuts
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Instructions
- Grease a 9×9-inch pan.
- Mix flour, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and salt. Cut in butter and shortening until crumbly. Remove 1/2 cup crumbs and set aside.
- To the remaining crumbs, add egg, molasses, sour cream, baking soda, and nuts; mix well (add a little water if needed).
- Pour batter into pan and sprinkle reserved crumbs on top.
- Bake about 30 minutes.
- Total cook time: about 30 minutes
- Equipment: 9×9-inch pan
- Servings: 8–10
Maple Sugar Gingerbread
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 1 cup thick maple syrup
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup sour milk
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Rind and juice of one lemon
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Instructions
- Butter a loaf pan or a 9×13-inch pan.
- Cream butter; add maple syrup and lemon rind/juice.
- Dissolve baking soda in 1 tablespoon cold water and stir into sour milk.
- Add egg and sour milk mixture to batter, then flour; beat well.
- Bake about 50 minutes in a loaf pan or about 25 minutes in a sheet pan.
- Total cook time: about 50 minutes (loaf) or 25 minutes (sheet)
- Equipment: loaf pan or 9×13-inch pan
- Servings: 8
Gingerbread Cake FAQ
What’s the difference between these two gingerbread recipes?
The classic Gingerbread Cake uses molasses and has a crumb topping, while Maple Sugar Gingerbread is sweetened with maple syrup and flavored with lemon.
Can I bake Maple Sugar Gingerbread as a sheet cake?
Yes—bake about 25 minutes in a sheet pan or about 50 minutes in a loaf pan.
Do these gingerbreads freeze well?
Yes. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2–3 months.