Spiced Gingerbread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 cup water

For the Frosting:
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (substitute for almond extract if desired)

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven:
- Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and allow it to preheat while you prepare the cake batter. Prepare a 9-inch round cake pan by greasing it lightly with butter or non-stick spray. Optionally, line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, white sugar, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Stir well until all the dry ingredients are evenly dispersed.

3. Combine Wet Ingredients:
- In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, white vinegar, almond extract, and water until fully blended.

4. Create the Batter:
- Gradually mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring gently with a spatula or wooden spoon, until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix to ensure your cake is tender and soft.

5. Bake the Cake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan. Smooth the top with a spatula, then place the pan in the preheated oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake emerges clean.

6. Prepare the Frosting:
- While the cake cools, make the frosting. In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until you have a fluffy consistency.

7. Assemble the Cake:
- Allow the cake to cool for at least 10 minutes in the pan before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, spread a generous layer of cream cheese frosting over the top and sides of the cake.

8. Serve:
- Slice the cake into 8 equal pieces. Enjoy this rich and spiced delight with family and friends!

Preparation & Cooking Times

Preparation Time:
PT15M
15 minutes

Cooking Time:
PT35M
35 minutes

Total Time

PT50M
50 minutes

Type of Dish

Dessert

Keywords

Gingerbread, Cream Cheese Frosting, Spiced Cake, Holiday Dessert, Almond Extract, Baking, Fall Flavors, Cinnamon, Gourmet Cake, Dessert Recipe

Recipe Yield

Serves 8 Adults

Calories

Approximately 3,200 calories for the entire dish

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