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Super Moist Gingerbread Cake with Caramel Icing

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This mild flavored super moist Gingerbread Cake is topped with homemade caramel icing to create an easy dessert that is perfectly delicious!

a gingerbread cake square topped with caramel icing on a small plate

There are affiliate links in this post – please read my full disclosure policy.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

This gingerbread cake with caramel icing just so happens to be my father-in-law’s favorite, which of course means that it often gets made for his birthday celebration.

The first time I heard that it was the dessert of the evening, I was a bit skeptical, since I’m not typically a big fan of gingerbread-flavored things.

But one bite of this cake and all skepticism was gone! This cake was super moist, had only a mild gingerbread flavor and combined with the caramel icing? Well, it was just perfectly delicious!

Watch Video: Learn How to Make This Recipe

a slice of gingerbread cake with caramel frosting on a white plate

Easy Gingerbread Cake Ingredients

  • Brown Sugar.
  • Molasses. Use unsulphured baking molasses so it’s not overpowering.
  • Water.
  • Butter. Salted or unsalted is fine. You can also substitute shortening if needed.
  • Eggs.
  • Flour. Regular all-purpose flour works great.
  • Baking Soda.
  • Cinnamon, Ginger and Nutmeg.
  • Baking Powder.
  • Boiling Water.
a square of gingerbread cake topped with frosting on a white plate

How To Make Gingerbread Cake

STEP 1: Combine the brown sugar, water, molasses, and butter in a large mixing bowl. Beat in the eggs.

STEP 2: Mix in the dry ingredients, adding the boiling water last.

STEP 3: Transfer the cake batter to a greased 9×13 baking pan.

STEP 4: Bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

STEP 5: Once the cake has cooled top with my Quick Caramel Icing.

gingerbread cake with a piece on a fork resting on a white plate

Helpful Tips

  • Using unsulphured molasses is very important! If you use blackstrap molasses, the flavor will be much stronger and likely overpowering. I cannot promise that it will still taste good if you sub that!
  • Storing. The gingerbread cake can be kept at room temperature for 2 days or in the fridge in an airtight container or plastic wrap for 4 to 5 days.
  • Freezing. This cake freezes really well so it’s perfect for making ahead.
  • Frosting. Wait until the cake is completely cool to ice, so the frosting doesn’t soak into the cake.

More Easy Dessert Recipes You’ll Love

  • Easy Apple Dumpling Dessert
  • Apple Dump Cake from Scratch- uses fresh apples!
  • Best Ever Chocolate Cake – no eggs, no milk, no butter
  • The Best Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars
  • Blonde Brownies- an easy chocolate chip brownie
  • 5 Minute Perfectly Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Print Recipe
4.8 from 15 votes

Super Moist Gingerbread Cake with Caramel Icing

This mild flavored, super moist Gingerbread Cake is topped with homemade caramel icing to create an easy dessert that is perfectly delicious!
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time25 mins
Total Time35 mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 18
Author: Lydia @ ThriftyFrugalMom.com
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Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsulphured molasses (baking molasses)
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 3/4 cup butter (or shortening)
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 3/4 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • 2 tsp. ginger
  • 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
  • 1 cup boiling water

Instructions

  • Mix brown sugar, molasses, 1/4 c. water and butter; add eggs.
  • Mix in dry ingredients; add hot water last.
  • Pour batter into a greased 9×13 cake pan.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 25 min. or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
  • Top with Quick Caramel Icing.

Notes

Using unsulphured molasses is very important!  If you use blackstrap molasses, the flavor will be much stronger and likely overpowering.  I cannot promise that it will still taste good if you sub that!  
You can buy the unsulphured “baking” molasses on Amazon but I’ve found that it’s much cheaper at my local grocery stores.  
a square of Gingerbread Cake with Caramel Frosting with text overlay
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Filed Under: Desserts, Other, Recipes Tagged With: easy recipe, frugal recipe

Previous Post: « 40 Frugal Non-Toy Gifts for Kids that Cost $35 or Less
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Megan

    December 12, 2021 at 11:02 AM

    Can this be made as a bundle case? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Lydia Beiler

      December 12, 2021 at 1:43 PM

      I’m sorry, Megan, but I don’t know what a bundle case is. Can you explain?

      Reply
  2. Sandra

    December 18, 2019 at 12:38 PM

    5 stars
    I LOVE this recipe! The icing is so perfect with the gingerbread flavors. Shhh…. Don’t tell anyone… I make gingerbread cake all year.

    Reply
    • Kitty

      December 9, 2020 at 1:31 PM

      Where is Caramel Icing ingredients and instructions???

      Reply
      • Lydia Beiler

        December 9, 2020 at 1:43 PM

        The link to that caramel icing recipe is in the recipe instructions under #5. But if it’s easier, you can just get the caramel icing recipe here.

        Reply
  3. Patricia

    December 16, 2019 at 8:47 PM

    5 stars
    I cannot wait to serve this cake! Love the flavors and how easy the recipe is! My gingerbread cookies don’t always turn out as I’d like, so I’m happy to have this recipe on hand!

    Reply
    • ThriftyFrugalMom

      December 17, 2019 at 7:03 PM

      So glad that you like it, Patricia!

      Reply
  4. Jo

    November 22, 2017 at 2:29 PM

    Amazingly delicious!

    Reply
    • ThriftyFrugalMom

      November 22, 2017 at 3:02 PM

      We think so! Glad you did too. 😉

      Reply
  5. Crystal

    December 10, 2015 at 10:42 AM

    I absolutely love gingerbread. I am looking forward to tasting this cake. It looks delicious!

    Reply
    • ThriftyFrugalMom

      December 10, 2015 at 8:56 PM

      I think you’ll love it! Be sure to make the caramel icing too….it takes it from yum to amazing!

      Reply

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Welcome! I’m Lydia. I want to help you find ways to live well and enjoy life on a budget! Read more…

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