Gingerbread Cake Recipes | Classic Gingerbread & Maple Sugar Gingerbread

Gingerbread Cake Recipes

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

✨ Jump directly to a classic recipe:

🍰 Classic Gingerbread Cake

A hearty, aromatic cake featuring a delightful crumb topping. The combination of warm spices, rich molasses, and creamy sour cream makes this an irresistible treat.

⏱️ Cook Time: 30 Mins 🍴 Servings: 8–10 🍳 Equipment: 9×9-inch Pan 🔥 Oven: 350°F

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 4 tbsp shortening
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2 tbsp molasses
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ cup nuts

Preparation Instructions

  1. Prep Pan: Grease a 9×9-inch pan and preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Create Crumb Topping: Mix flour, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and salt. Cut in butter and shortening until crumbly. Reserve ½ cup of these crumbs for later.
  3. Mix Batter: To the remaining crumbs, add the egg, molasses, sour cream, baking soda, and nuts. Mix well (add a little water if needed to reach desired consistency).
  4. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, sprinkle the reserved crumbs over the top, and bake for about 30 minutes.

🍁 Maple Sugar Gingerbread

A sophisticated twist on the classic, featuring the deep sweetness of maple syrup brightened by fresh lemon zest and juice. Wonderfully moist and versatile.

⏱️ Cook Time: 25–50 Mins 🍴 Servings: 8 🍳 Equipment: Loaf or 9×13-inch Pan 🔥 Oven: 350°F

Ingredients

  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup thick maple syrup
  • 2 cups flour
  • ½ cup sour milk
  • ¼ cup butter
  • ½ tsp ginger
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • Rind & juice of 1 lemon

Preparation Instructions

  1. Prep Pan: Butter a loaf pan or a 9×13-inch pan and preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Cream Ingredients: Cream the butter, then add the maple syrup, lemon rind, and lemon juice.
  3. Prepare Leavening: Dissolve the baking soda in 1 tablespoon of cold water, then stir this into the sour milk.
  4. Combine: Add the egg and the prepared sour milk mixture to the butter-maple base. Gently beat in the flour until smooth.
  5. Bake: Bake for about 50 minutes if using a loaf pan, or 25 minutes if using a 9×13-inch sheet pan.

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.

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