Super Moist Gingerbread Cake

4.75 from 4 votes

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Calling all ginger lovers! This gingerbread cake has everything you love in a traditional gingerbread, plus it’s topped with spicy-sweet candied ginger pieces. Robust molasses, warming cinnamon, and zingy ginger come together in perfect harmony.

Super Moist Gingerbread Loaf on blue and white plate


The weather is getting colder, the leaves are falling, and warming spices are back on center stage. Whether you are looking for an easy and delicious snack to have around, or you are brainstorming gift ideas, this gingerbread loaf is your ticket to success. I enjoy making a few of these loaves as Christmas gifts alongside other classic favorites such as my Cranberry Nut Bread, Banana Pumpkin Bread, or Brown Butter Walnut Banana Bread

Nothing quite compares to ginger. This bright and pungent spice has a unique flavor profile that elevates savory and sweet recipes alike. Today’s recipe is super moist, super easy to make, and filled to the brim with ginger. The powdered ginger in the dough combined with the chewy bites of candied ginger bliss create truly heavenly results.  

Some of my other favorite sweet ginger recipes include my Gingersnap Cranberry Lime Pie and my Bacon Fat Gingersnap Cookies. And great news — if you love everything about this recipe but are looking for a lower sugar option, I have you covered! Try out my Super Moist Gingerbread Cake. It still has all the ginger but was adapted straight out of a diabetic cookbook. 

slice of Super Moist Gingerbread Loaf

INGREDIENT NOTES AND SUBSTITUTIONS 

  • Flour – Gives structure to the loaf and binds everything together. All-purpose flour is best for this recipe. 
  • Sugar – Adds sweetness. Regular granulated sugar is best, but powdered sugar or brown sugar can be substituted if needed. Texture may be slightly affected by substitutions. 
  • Ginger – Spicy, peppery, pungent, and bright, this spice makes the gingerbread loaf what it is.
  • Cinnamon – Adds a sweet, warming, and woodsy flavor while enhancing the natural sweetness of other ingredients. 
  • Baking Powder & Baking Soda – These leavening agents work in tandem to keep the loaf fluffy and add volume.
  • Molasses – Adds sweetness, warmth, and a slight smoky flavor. The darker the molasses, the more bitter it is. If none is available, you can substitute honey, maple syrup, sorghum, or brown sugar. 
  • Butter – Keeps the recipe rich and moist. 
  • Egg Whites – Gives the loaf strength and structure while binding other ingredients together. 
  • Crystallized Ginger – Super sweet and spicy, these candied chunks give the recipe an added punch of ginger goodness. Check the dried fruit and nut aisle at the grocery store. 
Super Moist Gingerbread Loaf in a pan

HOW TO MAKE GINGERBREAD CAKE

  1. Preheat the Oven. Set the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare an 8X8 inch baking pan with cooking spray and an even dusting of flour. Set aside. 
  2. Sift Dry Ingredients. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, ginger, cinnamon, baking powder, and baking soda. 
  3. Add the Wet Ingredients. Add in the water, molasses, melted butter, and egg whites to the same bowl, then use the medium setting on your electric mixer until everything is well combined. Once incorporated, turn the speed up to high and beat for an additional 2 minutes. 
  4. Fold in the Ginger. If desired, gently fold in the crystallized ginger chunks. 
  5. Bake. Spread the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Bake your loaf for about 20 minutes. It is ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 
  6. Cool. Remove the loaf from the oven and transfer it to a cooling rack for at least ten minutes before slicing. 
  7. Enjoy. Serve with ice cream or your favorite whipped topping.
Super Moist Gingerbread Loaf with whipped topping

How Do I Keep My Gingerbread Cake From Sinking?

A few simple things will help prevent your lovely loaf from sinking in the middle. This recipe contains two wonderful leavening agents — baking powder and baking soda — that help produce a light and fluffy loaf.  However, an excess of leavening can lead to a dramatic rise in the dough that ends up as a sinkhole in the middle, so be sure to measure accurately. 

Also, make sure that you are working the dough adequately before baking as this will activate the gluten and lend more structure to the bread. 

What Goes Well With Gingerbread Cake?

This spiced sweet bread is delightfully versatile! You can enjoy it for breakfast, as a snack, or as a comforting dessert. It’s delicious by itself or dressed up. 

I like to pop a slice in the toaster oven and add a bit of butter or cream cheese for breakfast or ice cream when it’s time for dessert. It also pairs beautifully with fruit desserts such as baked apples, grilled peaches, or poached pears. 

What Is The Difference Between Ginger Cake and Gingerbread?

Simply put, they are essentially the same thing. In many places “gingerbread” can refer to either cake or cookies, which gets a bit confusing. For clarity’s sake, some have started referring to the softer forms of gingerbread — such as our gingerbread cake — as ginger cake and even gingerbread loaf. 

side view of a piece of Super Moist Gingerbread Loaf
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Super Moist Gingerbread Cake

4.75 from 4 votes
This super moist gingerbread loaf is full of festive flavors and features cinnamon, molasses, and a crystallized ginger kick.
Servings: 9 servings
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 35 minutes

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Coat a 8×8” baking dish with cooking spray and dust with flour to coat evenly. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl sift the dry ingredients together. Add the water, molasses, melted butter and egg whites. Beat with electric mixer on medium until combined then for 2 minutes on high. Fold in chopped crystallized ginger chunks (optional).
  • Spread into prepared baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool on a rack for 10 minutes before cutting.
  • Serve with whipped cream or your favorite whipped topping if desired.

Notes

The crystalized ginger may be omitted for less sugar. Nutrition information is without.

Nutrition

Calories: 163kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 126mg | Potassium: 277mg | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 120IU | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 1.7mg

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Have You Made This Recipe? Let Me Know on InstagramTag @keviniscooking or tag me #keviniscooking!
Super Moist Gingerbread Loaf on a white and blue plate

Kevin

Whether in the kitchen or on the grill, you’ll find me cooking American favorites with a love for BBQ, Mexican and Tex Mex. I’m passionate about making tasty food because life’s too short to be bland!

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8 Comments

  1. 4 stars
    Not exactly sure what happened.. I doubled the recipe and the batter got super thick to the point that my mixer couldn’t even mix it anymore.. I made it the first time and forgot to double the flour and it turned out better than with the flour doubled. I had to add a little more water, but that didn’t do anything. In the oven, the batter started to bubble up making big bubbled up pieces on the top. Any tips?

  2. Looking forward to trying this recipe! Reading it brought back a memory of a co- worker who served warm gingerbread with Applesauce and whipped cream. It was amazing!

  3. 5 stars
    I really enjoy your recipes. It is fun to get something nice in my email box almost daily. Not sure what is in it for you but thought I would at least let you know they make me happy and I appreciate your sharing.

    Have a good day.