Looking for a delicious and festive way to top your gingerbread cake? Look no further! These gingerbread cake toppings are sure to impress your guests and make your dessert stand out. From classic cream cheese frosting to creative candy cane crumbles, there’s a topping for every taste bud. So, let’s get started!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup molasses
- 2 large eggs
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9-inch cake pan.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add molasses and eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt.
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool cake completely before adding toppings.
Gingerbread Cake Toppings:
1. Cream Cheese Frosting
One classic topping for gingerbread cake is cream cheese frosting. To make it, simply beat together 8 ounces of softened cream cheese, 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, and 2 cups of powdered sugar. Spread the frosting over the cooled cake and enjoy!
2. Whipped Cream and Cinnamon Sugar
For a lighter topping, try whipping up some heavy cream with a tablespoon of sugar and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Dollop the whipped cream over the cake and dust with additional cinnamon sugar to taste.
3. Candied Ginger and Orange Zest
For a more complex flavor profile, try topping your gingerbread cake with candied ginger and orange zest. Simply chop up some candied ginger and sprinkle it over the cake along with some freshly grated orange zest.
4. Chocolate Ganache and Crushed Peppermint
If you’re a chocolate lover, try topping your cake with a rich chocolate ganache and some crushed candy canes or peppermint candies. Simply heat up 1 cup of heavy cream and pour it over 8 ounces of chopped semisweet chocolate. Stir until smooth and pour over the cooled cake. Top with crushed candy canes.
Nutritional Information:
Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 535
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Cholesterol: 89mg
Sodium: 390mg
Potassium: 714mg
Carbohydrates: 81g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 51g
Protein: 5g
Cooking Time:
Total Time: 1 hour (including baking and cooling time)
Equipment:
- 9-inch cake pan
- Electric mixer
- Whisk
- Bowl
- Spatula
Serving Suggestions:
Pair your gingerbread cake with a warm cup of cider or hot cocoa for a cozy winter treat.
Variations:
For a twist on traditional gingerbread cake, try adding some chopped crystallized ginger to the batter before baking. You could also try swapping out the molasses for honey or maple syrup for a different flavor profile.
Substitutions:
If you’re out of molasses, you could try using dark corn syrup or honey instead. You could also use light brown sugar in place of granulated sugar for a deeper flavor.
Storage:
Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Tips:
- Make sure your butter is softened before creaming it with the sugar to ensure a smooth batter.
- Be careful not to overmix the batter once you add the dry ingredients, as this can result in a tough cake.
- For a more rustic look, you could top your cake with some chopped nuts or dried fruit instead of frosting.
Notes:
This recipe makes one 9-inch cake, but you could easily double it to make a larger cake or two smaller cakes.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Can I make this cake ahead of time?
A: Yes! You can bake the cake up to 2 days ahead of time and store it at room temperature until ready to serve.
Q: Can I freeze this cake?
A: Yes! Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and then foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Final Thoughts:
Gingerbread cake is a holiday classic, and these toppings are sure to take your dessert to the next level. Whether you prefer a classic cream cheese frosting or a creative candy cane crumble, there’s a topping for every taste bud. So, give them a try and impress your guests this holiday season!