Gingerbread Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting and Caramel Drizzle Recipe

This Gingerbread Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting and Caramel Drizzle is the ultimate cozy dessert that tastes like the holidays in every bite. It’s soft, deeply spiced, incredibly moist, and layered with a tangy-sweet frosting that melts into every crumb. The rich caramel drizzle on top? It’s the finishing touch that makes this cake completely irresistible. Despite sounding indulgent and fancy, it’s a wonderfully simple recipe that anyone can whip up—even on a weeknight when you’re craving something special and comforting.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to Make, Even Easier to Love: No complicated steps or fussy ingredients here. Just good, old-fashioned baking made modern and stress-free.
• Flavor Explosion: Warm ginger, cinnamon, and molasses combine to create that signature gingerbread flavor, balanced beautifully by the creamy tang of the frosting and sweet caramel.
• Perfect for Every Occasion: Whether it’s a holiday gathering or a quiet evening at home, this cake fits in anywhere. Dress it up or keep it casual!
• Incredible Texture: Light yet rich, this cake is moist without being heavy, thanks to a balanced blend of wet and dry ingredients.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what brings this festive cake to life:

• All-Purpose Flour: The sturdy base that holds everything together.
• Molasses: The heart of gingerbread flavor—dark, rich, and slightly bitter in the best way.
• Brown Sugar: Adds a deeper sweetness and enhances the moistness of the cake.
• Eggs: Bind everything and add structure while helping create that soft, tender crumb.
• Buttermilk: Keeps the cake ultra-moist and adds a light tang.
• Vegetable Oil: Neutral in flavor and helps the cake stay soft for days.
• Ground Ginger, Cinnamon, Cloves, and Nutmeg: These spices are the flavor foundation. Adjust to your taste, but don’t skip the ginger—it’s the star.
• Baking Soda and Baking Powder: Leavening agents that ensure a fluffy rise.
• Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and enhance the other flavors.
• Cream Cheese: The base for the frosting—tangy and creamy.
• Powdered Sugar: For sweetness in the frosting without any graininess.
• Butter: Adds richness to the frosting and makes it spreadable.
• Ground Cinnamon: Mixed into the frosting for that warm, cozy touch.
• Caramel Sauce: Drizzle over the top for a sweet, buttery finish—store-bought or homemade works beautifully.

Variations

Want to make this cake your own? Try these tasty twists:

• Cupcake Version: Bake the batter in cupcake tins for adorable, party-ready portions.
• Add Some Crunch: Stir chopped toasted pecans or walnuts into the batter or sprinkle on top for texture.
• Lemon Zest in the Frosting: Adds a bright note that balances the richness perfectly.
• Swap the Frosting: Go with a vanilla glaze or whipped cream for something lighter.
• Make it Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free cream cheese, plant-based milk, and vegan butter for a lactose-free version.

How to Make Gingerbread Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting and Caramel Drizzle

Step 1: Prepare the Batter

Preheat your oven and grease your cake pan. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices. In another bowl, mix the brown sugar, molasses, eggs, oil, and buttermilk until smooth. Combine the wet and dry ingredients and stir just until mixed—don’t overdo it!

Step 2: Bake the Cake

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake until a toothpick comes out clean from the center. Let the cake cool completely before frosting. This is important—the frosting will melt if the cake is too warm!

Step 3: Make the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat the cream cheese and butter together until fluffy. Add powdered sugar gradually, then stir in cinnamon. Keep beating until it’s creamy, smooth, and irresistibly spreadable.

Step 4: Frost the Cake

Once the cake is cool, spread the frosting generously over the top and sides. Don’t worry about making it perfect—this is a rustic, cozy cake.

Step 5: Drizzle with Caramel

Warm up your caramel sauce slightly and drizzle it over the frosted cake. Let it drip down the sides—messy is beautiful here.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Let your eggs, cream cheese, and butter come to room temp before starting. This ensures a smooth batter and frosting.
• Use Dark Molasses: Blackstrap is too bitter, so stick with unsulfured dark molasses for the best flavor.
• Don’t Skip the Cooling Time: Frosting a warm cake is a shortcut to a slippery, melty mess.
• Make Your Own Caramel: If you have time, homemade caramel sauce really elevates the final touch. Just butter, brown sugar, cream, and a pinch of salt!

How to Serve

This gingerbread cake shines on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a few extras:

Hot Beverage Pairings

Serve it with a mug of hot apple cider, chai tea, or a spicy latte. For an extra-indulgent treat, try it with a warm spiced rum cocktail.

Add a Scoop

Top with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or cinnamon gelato. The contrast of cold ice cream and warm spices? Divine.

Holiday Platter

Slice it up and serve on a festive platter with sugared cranberries or fresh rosemary sprigs for an eye-catching presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover cake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. The flavors deepen over time, so it’s even better the next day.

Freezing

Yes, this cake freezes beautifully! Wrap slices individually or freeze the whole unfrosted cake. Thaw in the fridge before frosting.

Reheating

If you like your cake slightly warm, pop a slice in the microwave for 10–15 seconds. Just don’t heat it too much or the frosting might melt.

FAQs

Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Absolutely! The cake can be baked and refrigerated a day or two in advance. Frost and drizzle just before serving for the freshest presentation.

Do I have to use buttermilk?
Buttermilk adds tang and tenderness, but if you’re out, mix milk with a splash of lemon juice or vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes as a quick substitute.

Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?
Definitely! Store-bought caramel saves time and still tastes great. If you’re feeling adventurous, homemade is always a nice upgrade.

Is this recipe suitable for a layer cake?
Yes, it’s perfect for layering. Just divide the batter evenly between two round pans, reduce the bake time slightly, and double the frosting if you like it thick.

Final Thoughts

This Gingerbread Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting and Caramel Drizzle is everything you love about the holiday season, wrapped into one glorious dessert. It’s easy, crowd-pleasing, and packed with heartwarming flavor. Whether you’re baking it for a special occasion or just to bring a little joy into your kitchen, don’t wait—get baking and savor every spiced, caramel-drizzled bite.

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